Chelsea’s early Premier League struggles persisted as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, squandering the lead and adding to the frustrations under new manager Enzo Maresca.
Despite an extensive summer overhaul and a slew of new signings, Chelsea have managed just one victory in their first three league games, leaving fans and pundits questioning the team’s form.
After a chaotic pre-season and a disappointing 3-0 loss to Manchester City on the opening weekend, Chelsea appeared to find their footing with an emphatic 6-2 victory over Wolves last weekend.
However, the momentum was short-lived as they narrowly secured a spot in the UEFA Conference League group stage, following a 2-1 defeat against Swiss side Servette on Thursday.
Maresca, who previously managed Leicester City, has remained optimistic about Chelsea’s progress, insisting that his ambitious project is ahead of schedule.
The club’s summer rebuild, which included the arrival of several high-profile players, culminated in the loan signing of Jadon Sancho from Manchester United.
The winger was introduced to the Stamford Bridge faithful before kick-off, taking his seat next to co-owner Behdad Eghbali in the director’s box.
However, Sancho’s first glimpse of his new team was less than inspiring. Chelsea took the lead in the 25th minute when Noni Madueke delivered a precise pass to Cole Palmer, who set up Nicolas Jackson for a composed finish.
Despite dominating much of the first half, Chelsea failed to capitalize on their advantage, leaving the door open for Palace’s resurgence.
Tensions rose when Palace midfielder Will Hughes escaped a second yellow card for a foul on Palmer, sparking fury from Maresca on the touchline.
The visitors, still searching for their first point of the season after losses to Brentford and West Ham, seized their opportunity to equalize in the 53rd minute.
England international Eberechi Eze produced a moment of magic, curling a stunning shot from 20 yards that left Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez with no chance.
Eze’s brilliant strike not only salvaged a point for Palace but also ended Chelsea’s remarkable run of 14 consecutive victories against them in all competitions.
The Blues had a late chance to regain the lead, but Jackson’s close-range miss summed up a frustrating afternoon for Maresca’s side.
As Chelsea continue to struggle for consistency, the pressure is mounting on Maresca to deliver results and justify the club’s significant investment.
With the season still in its early stages, the Italian manager will need to find a way to gel his new-look squad quickly if Chelsea are to mount a serious challenge for silverware this year.
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