Enzo Maresca lost his first game as the Blues’ manager on Sunday, thanks to goals from Erling Haaland and Mateo Kovaic.
Pep Guardiola hailed Manchester City’s mentality for overcoming a chaotic preseason and getting their Premier League championship defence off to a winning start.
All four of City’s Euro 2024 finalists Rodri, Kyle Waker, John Stones, and Phil Foden were absent from the beginning because Guardiola chose to give them more time off to recuperate after their summertime commitments.
Even though they returned to training later than expected after qualifying for the European Championship, players including Manuel Akanji, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, and Ruben Dias did play the full 90 minutes.
Yet, the champions were still able to lay down a marker against one of the few sides they failed to beat in the league last season.
ALSO READ : Prophet Passion Java’s Role in Arrests of Mpofu and Chimombe Exposed
“I really didn’t expect it. I know what these guys can do, but the first day and lack of training,” said Guardiola.
“We had two or three days to prepare, but we solved this lack of many things with our commitment.
“You cannot imagine how privileged and fortunate I am to live these experiences with this incredible group of players.”
Maresca has the tough task of moulding a functioning team unit from a bloated Chelsea squad that has 43 players and over 50 on the books including those on loan.
The consequences of those difficult decisions played out even before kick-off as Raheem Sterling‘s camp released a statement expressing his dismay at being left out of the matchday squad.
Ben Chilwell was another to face the cull, while Conor Gallagher and Romelu Lukaku are among those not to have been handed squad numbers.
None of Chelsea’s nine summer signings to date were included in Maresca’s starting line-up.
Even more surprisingly, Enzo Fernandez was named captain despite being embroiled in a race row for a post on social media after Argentina’s Copa America victory last month.
City, by contrast, are a model of continuity and consistent excellence.
Haaland was one of City’s few stars to have had a summer off from international tournaments and took just 18 minutes to make his mark.
Jeremy Doku’s low cross was deflected by Bernardo Silva into the Norwegian’s path and he coolly dinked over Robert Sanchez.
But Chelsea ended the first half in the ascendency and should have been level before the break.
ALSO READ : Kamala Harris Aims to Break Barriers as First Black Woman US Presidential Nominee