Enzo Maresca`s risky team selection for Chelsea`s match against Brentford may have jeopardized their ambitions for European football next season.
Chelsea traveled across west London with a significant opportunity to strengthen their bid for Champions League qualification, their primary objective for this season.
A victory against Brentford, who are mid-table, without a home clean sheet this season, and without a home win in their last seven games, would have propelled Chelsea four points ahead of Aston Villa in sixth place and within two points of Nottingham Forest in third.
Therefore, it was surprising that Maresca chose to take a gamble by benching five first-team regulars. This decision ultimately backfired.
Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson, Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill, and Pedro Neto started the match on the bench as Chelsea struggled. They were largely uninspired against Brentford, showing only slight improvement after Maresca introduced the players who arguably should have started.
While Palmer and Jackson were returning from recent muscular injuries after playing in the midweek victory over Tottenham, the risk of starting them seemed justified given the importance of the match.
This result could prove to be a turning point for Chelsea, potentially for the worse, as it allows teams like Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Newcastle to gain ground in the race for European places.
Early in the game, Keane Lewis-Potter advanced down the left flank and found Bryan Mbeumo at the far post, but his volley across goal was too far for Yoane Wissa to reach.
Brentford manager Frank had suggested before the match that Chelsea were “under pressure,” and Brentford reinforced this by aggressively pressing Chelsea back.
Lewis-Potter continued to be influential, delivering another excellent pass behind the defense for Kevin Schade to chase. Schade then cut the ball back for Wissa, whose shot was blocked by a number of Chelsea defenders.
Chelsea`s attack was largely ineffective. When they did manage to get into promising positions, Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke were unable to create meaningful opportunities.
Nkunku, in particular, struggled physically against Brentford`s defenders. This match represented another missed opportunity for him to impress Maresca and potentially secure his place at the club, especially with potential summer changes looming.
The lack of clear chances for either team resulted in a subdued atmosphere in the west London sunshine.
However, Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez provided some excitement, albeit of an unwanted kind, reminiscent of a circus clown.
First, Sanchez played a signature pass directly to an opponent. He then had to recover to deny Mikkel Damsgaard after Wissa`s clever pass.
Shortly after, under no pressure, Sanchez inexplicably allowed the ball to slip through his hands, nearly gifting a chance to Mbeumo.
Maresca was visibly displeased with his goalkeeper`s risky play and Chelsea`s overall lackluster performance, which was deteriorating as the game progressed.
Jadon Sancho made a rare forward run, only to find a lack of support. Subsequently, poor defending by Reece James allowed Mbeumo to cut inside and shoot narrowly wide.
Chelsea`s away fans resorted to sarcastic humor, chanting “We`ve had a shot” when Madueke shot straight at Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
The home fans responded with “Boring, Boring Chelsea” as Sanchez parried away a header from Nathan Collins.
Maresca could have, and perhaps should have, brought on all of his impactful substitutes at halftime. Instead, he initially made just one change, replacing Nkunku with Jackson.
This substitution had an immediate effect.
Jackson linked up effectively and then used his pace to get behind the Brentford defense, but his shot was weak and easily saved by Flekken.
Chelsea began to build momentum. A cleared cross by Sepp Van Den Berg deflected off Flekken`s chest and out for a corner.
Thirteen minutes into the second half, Palmer and Neto were introduced, and they quickly combined. Palmer passed to Jackson, who then found Neto, whose long-range shot was saved by an impressive Flekken dive.
These substitutions provided encouragement, but also highlighted Chelsea`s over-reliance on individual brilliance.
Flekken continued to be busy, making another save from a Reece James header.
The game became more open, and Brentford created their best opportunity in the 79th minute with a rapid counter-attack from a Chelsea corner.
Mbeumo easily controlled the ball and dribbled about 50 yards before exchanging passes with Wissa.
Wissa`s powerful shot was then well saved by Sanchez`s right hand.
Despite Chelsea`s improved play, they could have conceded twice in the following minutes. Van Den Berg headed a chance over the bar from close range.
Wissa`s flicked header moments later also caused Sanchez to scramble.
In the final moments, Palmer`s curling shot went wide, and he fell to the ground in frustration as the final whistle blew.
For Maresca`s sake, this result needs to not be the start of a downward spiral for Chelsea`s season.
