“The message that it sends…” – TNT commentator criticises Maresca’s debutant decision | OneFootball

Chelsea are into the second half against Copenhagen, following on from a first period which was one of the most dire we can remember the Blues playing in recent years.

Enzo Maresca was forced to make 3 changes at half time, that’s just how insipid the first half was. This includes the removal of 17 year old debutant Shim Mheuka, who had been leading the line.

That was a move that disappointed us and a lot of Chelsea fans. It also frustrated Lucy Ward, who is on commentary duties for TNT Sport:

“I’m still a bit disappointed about Mheuka coming off. The message that it sends. He really couldn’t have done much more,” Ward said.

We couldn’t agree more. He was playing as number 9 in a team which was barely getting the ball forward at all. Erling Haaland  would have done about the same with the service the 17 year old was getting. Changing the midfield around has helped a lot in the second half, but that’s no good for Shim, who is presumably now sitting sadly on the bench feeling like he’s let the team down.

So far, Christopher Nkunku hasn’t done much to justify the change either. Of course he’s more experienced and is a bigger , but it does feel like that’s why Maresca has changed things rather than any particular performance or tactical reason.

George carries the Cobham torch with great Enzo assist

Tyrique George nips in to assist Enzo Fernandez.

The good news was at least that fellow academy youngster Tyrique George was left on, and he’s just grabbed his 4th assist of the season, latching on to a loose ball and making the right call to cut it back to Enzo Fernandez, who pinged it into the top corner.

George has effectively replaced Mheuka up top, with Nkunku playing off the left.