Football is a results game, famously. Usually that makes things tough for managers – think of how often they get unlucky and have to sit there and weakly say they thought the team had done well, despite a defeat.
But sometimes it works in their favour too – and Chelsea’s win over Bournemouth was a great example. The Blues were very poor, and should have been behind in the first half after an impressive Cherries side won a penalty to cap off a strong first period.
But Robert Sanchez saved it and Chelsea improved in the second period. It still wasn’t great, let’s be honest, and manager Enzo Maresca pretty much admitted after the game that we had stolen the 3 points.
One real issue both in defending and attacking was Axel Disasi. The defender was slotted in at right back, where he is our third choice option. He certainly played like it.
Simon Johnson noted three incidents which summed up the hour that the Frenchman was on the pitch: one, when he almost fell over defending a Bournemouth counter attack. Two, when he allowed a long pass beyond him because he thought Wesley Fofana was there to collect (he wasn’t). Three, most slapstick of all, when a all squirmed under his foot for a throw in.
Keeping Disasi out of the team a major priority for the rest of the season
The good news is that Malo Gusto should be back for our game against West Ham this weekend, and Reece James isn’t far behind, meaning we shouldn’t have to see Disasi again in this position soon, at least outside of the Conference League.
The question is if both our main options can actually stay fit and make sure we don’t need to see poor Axel out there suffering again too many times this season.