Chelsea fans have been eagerly watching the progression of Enzo Maresca’s reign since he took the helm at Stamford Bridge. After a shaky start to the season, Chelsea’s 4-2 win over KAA Gent in the Conference League was a clear statement of intent. Five wins in a row across all competitions, and a solid team performance, has left many wondering: are things finally clicking for Maresca?
The Match: Chelsea 4-2 Gent
Chelsea came out of the gates looking sharp, dominating possession and keeping Gent on the back foot for most of the game. The Blues controlled the tempo early on, and it didn’t take long before they found the breakthrough in the 12th minute when Renato Veiga headed home from a brilliant Mykhailo Mudryk cross.
Despite Chelsea’s dominance, they missed several opportunities to extend their lead. Gent, although largely passive, did manage to show some signs of life toward the end of the first half, reminding Chelsea that their one-goal lead was fragile.
As the second half kicked off, Pedro Neto doubled Chelsea’s lead just seconds after the restart. However, just when it seemed like Chelsea would run away with the game, they switched off defensively on a corner, allowing Gent to claw one back through some sloppy marking. The offside line looked more like a rubber band than a solid wall, and Gent took full advantage.
But any fears of a comeback were quickly squashed as Chelsea responded in emphatic fashion. Christopher Nkunku scored a quickfire goal to restore the two-goal cushion, followed shortly by Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall netting his first Chelsea goal to make it 4-1. Gent did manage to sneak in a consolation goal in the dying moments, but it was too little, too late. Chelsea walked away with a comprehensive 4-2 victory.
Key Players: Veiga, Nkunku, and Dewsbury-Hall
- Renato Veiga: An unexpected hero of the night, Veiga notched his first goal for Chelsea with a well-placed header in the 12th minute. His aerial prowess and ability to time his run perfectly from Mudryk’s delivery was a reminder that Chelsea can find goals from unlikely sources.
- Christopher Nkunku: Once again, Nkunku was a standout performer. His pace and precision in front of goal were on full display as he slotted home a crucial third goal to end any hopes of a Gent comeback. Nkunku has been one of Chelsea’s most reliable scorers this season, and his clinical finishing was vital to putting the game to bed.
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: Scoring his first Chelsea goal, Dewsbury-Hall was all over the pitch. His energy in midfield, combined with his ability to arrive late in the box, added a new dimension to Chelsea’s attack. His goal showcased the depth and versatility of Chelsea’s squad under Maresca.
Tactical Analysis: Maresca’s System Showing Progress
Enzo Maresca has slowly been shaping Chelsea into a team capable of balancing possession with attacking fluidity. The transition from the high-intensity press seen under former manager Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter to a more controlled, possession-based style has taken time. But in this match against Gent, Chelsea looked comfortable playing Maresca’s preferred system.
Chelsea’s wing play was a highlight, with Mudryk and Pedro Neto offering width and pace. The build-up play from the back, with Dewsbury-Hall often orchestrating from midfield, was smooth, and the movement of Nkunku kept Gent’s defense stretched.
However, the defensive lapses—especially from set-pieces—are still a concern. The goal conceded from a corner highlighted the lack of concentration that could hurt Chelsea against stronger opposition in future European fixtures.
What’s Next for Chelsea?
With this win, Chelsea solidified their position in their Conference League group and extended their winning streak to five games across all competitions. But tougher tests lie ahead. While victories against the likes of Gent are encouraging, Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures in the Premier League will truly show whether Maresca’s tactical philosophy has taken root.
The next challenge comes against Crystal Palace in a Saturday lunchtime kick-off, a potential banana skin for Chelsea given the tight schedule and fatigue after the midweek European clash. Maresca acknowledged the difficulty in his post-match interview, saying: “It wasn’t an easy one, in my opinion. Gent made it difficult. We have tougher fixtures coming up, so we’ll need to keep pushing.”
FAQs
Chelsea dominated possession and created multiple chances. Renato Veiga opened the scoring, and goals from Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall secured a comfortable win, despite conceding two goals.
This win extends Chelsea’s winning streak to five games in all competitions, showing that Maresca’s tactics are starting to pay off. However, upcoming Premier League fixtures will be the real test.
Renato Veiga, Christopher Nkunku, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall were standout performers, contributing key goals that secured the win for Chelsea.
Maresca has implemented a possession-based system, with Chelsea’s wide play and attacking fluidity improving. However, defensive lapses, especially from set-pieces, remain a concern.
Chelsea will face Crystal Palace in their next Premier League fixture, where they will look to extend their winning streak and continue building momentum under Maresca.
Conclusion: Is Maresca Leading Chelsea in the Right Direction?
The 4-2 win over Gent is certainly a positive sign for Chelsea fans. Maresca’s team is starting to show cohesion, particularly in attack, with players like Nkunku and Dewsbury-Hall stepping up when needed. However, defensive issues still linger, and tougher Premier League challenges will test how far the team has come under the new manager.
While it’s too early to make definitive judgments, Maresca’s reign has gotten off to a promising start. The upcoming matches will determine whether Chelsea can sustain their momentum and continue on this upward trajectory. For now, the signs are pointing in the right direction, and Stamford Bridge can cautiously believe in what’s to come.
