Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
What a start to the season! After a weekend where Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur both lost, Chelsea made sure they were not on the receiving end of a shock defeat to Fulham.
The Blues managed to beat their west London rivals 3-2 at Craven Cottage, with Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer all getting their names on the scoresheet.
So what would Xabi Alonso have learned from his first match as Chelsea manager?
Cole Palmer is still one of the top attackers in the Premier League
As well as scoring in Monday night’s west London derby, Palmer also managed to register an assist.
Going forward, the 24-year-old was unstoppable and quickly reminded everyone that he is still easily one of the Premier League’s elite attackers.
Joao Pedro is one of the best finishers in the world
Carlo Ancelotti’s decision not to take Pedro to the World Cup looks worse by the day. The Brazilian scored again with a fantastic finish and also set up Palmer’s goal.
How the striker takes his goals is really impressive. There is no doubt that he is one of the top finishers in the world right now.
Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates his goal
Photo by Pedro Porru/MB Media/Getty Images
Maxence Lacroix looks comfortable in a back three
Rogers is the Chelsea debutant who will steal all of the headlines, but Maxence Lacroix also deserves some praise.
He won his duels, provided an assist and looked comfortable playing in a back three. The Frenchman should prove to be a very good signing for the Blues.
Robert Sanchez should be replaced
While Alonso will be happy with three points, it was not the perfect performance, largely because of Robert Sanchez’s performance in goal.
Josh King should never have beaten him, while the Spaniard could have also done better for Fulham’s second goal. Chelsea have played down interest in Diogo Costa, but Sanchez needs replacing at this point.
READ MORE:Chelsea player ratings vs Fulham: Cole Palmer dazzles but 1/10 Robert Sanchez causes panic
Chelsea still need Enzo Fernandez
Even when Enzo Fernandez came on, Chelsea still struggled to control possession. Usually, though, he is the kind of midfielder who helps his side to dictate things.
Had the Argentine started, Chelsea’s possession stats may have been a tad better.