Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
One of Chelsea’s problem positions so far this season is at centre-back. The Blues are struggling to plug the leak, and fans are annoyed with Enzo Maresca after watching Portugal beat Norway.
Wesley Fofana, Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill have all been criticised this season, after struggling to find their best form during the early part of the season. Come January, Chelsea may make a signing.
But it’s not as if Chelsea had options previously. Trevoh Chalobah is on fire for Como since leaving West London, while another defender sold during Enzo Maresca’s reign has just kept Erling Haaland quiet.
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Chelsea’s quick sale of Renato Veiga during Enzo Maresca’s reign
In the summer of 2024, Chelsea signed Renato Veiga from Basel. A bargain deal, worth little over £10m, paid for a relatively unknown Portuguese defender playing his football at the top end in Switzerland.
He played 18 times for Chelsea during the first half of Maresca’s first season, only to be loaned to Juve. He made 13 more appearances that season, and it convinced Villarreal to spend £26m to sign him.
Ultimately, for Chelsea and BlueCo, it was a quick profit on the defender. Since his move to Spain, Veiga has quickly established himself as one of La Liga’s best defenders – and first choice with Portugal.
He’s since earned 21 caps with Portugal, the latest of which was Portugal’s 2-1 win over Norway on Sunday night. The former Chelsea man did a brilliant job in keeping Haaland quiet on the night.
Chelsea fans frustrated after watching Veiga shine vs Haaland
With Chelsea struggling in defence, it came as a huge frustration to watch Veiga keep Haaland in his pocket on Sunday night. A brilliant performance, and Chelsea fans have vented their frustration on X.
“It was Enzo Maresca’s stupidity that made him leave”, was the verdict of another Chelsea supporter, responding to the initial post. Some have picked up on Haaland wanting to come off, with Veiga starring.
“Renato Veiga dealt with Haaland toe to toe. How did Chelsea not see he’s a good player?”, was the verdict of another frustrated Chelsea fan. Another said he put “Haaland in his back pocket”.
While Veiga needed to leave Chelsea to get game time at Villarreal and become the defender he is today, there is a clear frustration he was not given the chance to do what he is doing now at Stamford Bridge.
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Split image with four players, which includes: Bruno Guimaraes, Lamine Camara, Alex Scott and Manu Kone
Split image with four players, which includes: Bruno Guimaraes, Lamine Camara, Alex Scott and Manu Kone
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images