Enzo Maresca will have learnt a lot about where his side are at right now following Chelsea’s first game of the season against Crystal Palace.
The Blues were coming into the new campaign with just a couple of weeks’ rest under their belt, after their extended 2024/25 season ended with the Club World Cup win.
They had been hit with a number of key injuries suffered in their limited pre-season campaign. Levi Colwill is set to miss most of the season, while Tosin Adarabioyo missed their 0-0 draw with Palace due to his own fitness issue.
While Josh Acheampong impressed at the heart of defence, it was clear the Blues were not up to speed, and forced to settle with an opening day point.
Chelsea v Crystal Palace - Premier League
Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images
Enzo Maresca must drop Enzo Fernandez after Chelsea’s draw with Crystal Palace
In The Chelsea Chronicle’s player ratings for the game, the lowest scoring Chelsea player was Enzo Fernandez, who was the individual who looked as if he was struggling the most with the quick turnaround from last season.
His first touch was poor, while the weight of pass was off in what was a poor performance against their London rivals at Stamford Bridge.
With Romeo Lavia not fully fit, in the past there had been very limited options to replace the Argentine or Moises Caicedo. However, this is now a real possibility following the signing of Andrey Santos.
Santos starred in pre-season, with him now deemed ready by Maresca to contribute to the first team after two seasons spent on loan away from the club.
MORE CHELSEA STORIES
He missed a big chance to give the Blues the lead late on, but the club should show backing to Santos by handing him a start against West Ham on Friday night.
Enzo Fernandez in action during-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-CRYSTAL PALACE
Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Enzo Fernandez’s worrying stats vs Crystal Palace
There is no need to overreact when it comes to Fernandez’s performance and whether it will be a sign of things to come this season, however when the options are there to replace him for the next game then they should be taken.
Enzo Fernandez vs Crystal Palace Total
Minutes 79
Accurate Passes 31/37
Tackles 0
Duels Won 1
Chances Created 1
Maresca made a mistake not starting Liam Delap against a physical Palace side too, and will have the chance to rectify this by bringing him in to face Graham Potter’s side.
After not scoring in their opening game last season, Chelsea scored six against their next opponents, and the boss will be hoping for a similar response to kickstart the new campaign.