Chelsea had a fairly routine 4-1 win over Djurgarden tonight in the Conference League semi final, but there was a lot to like beyond the result.
Enzo Fernandez gave a superb performance, and Nicolas Jackson scored two to continue his sudden return to form after a long drought.
Academy debut for Walsh brings smiles all round
But by the far the most beautiful moment for many fans was the debut for 16 year old Reggie Walsh from the academy. Enzo Maresca brought him on with 10 minutes to go, making him the 3rd youngest player to play for the club ever.
Speaking after the game, Maresca had some really encouraging words for the young midfielder:
“I felt excited to give him a chance. He’s suited to our style. We’re happy. He’s the eighth debut from the Academy. He is perfect for our system, but of course he’s also young so we need to protect him. I just told him to enjoy the experience before he came on.”
There’s something lovely about the way he says he’s “perfect for our system,” that’s a real compliment coming from someone who is very concerned with their system in general.
Maresca let down by one area of Blues’ performance
Maresca was pretty pleased with the performance overall, but had some reservations about what his side could have done better:
“We’re very happy with the result and performance. It’s a European semi-final, so very important,” the manager said.
“We planned the game to play one way, and a different way in the second half. It was a good performance despite dropping a bit in the final 15. We had a 3-0 lead against Legia and then struggled, and now we need to make sure we finish the job at home.”
Maresca’s style and tactics are letting him down,moreover whoever that is in charge of psychology for players in Chelsea lacked expertise,these players plays as if nothing is at stake,they are wonderful players but they are quarter rated players on pitch of play,I don’t watch Chelsea matches these days,. Maresca s deployment of Recce James in the midfield rubbishes all the ratings he had as a Coach.Honestly speaking Maresca is a championship coach. Chelsea owners should look at the way PSG had developed under the current Coach,who was tipped to coach Chelsea earlier,he’s a development coach which Chelsea needed.Lets look at Daisisi under Maresca and look at him now and judge for self.I am not taking anything away from Maresca but then we have to tell ourselves the truth.Mr Todd B wants coaches he can control,he thinks that been answered ‘SIR’ is professional. He should handover to a competent Chairman who has vision and love for Chelsea and football,which he obviously lacked,we should look at the achievement not his words