Chelsea used six attackers signed for a combined £250m in their Premier League opener but were unable to find a way past Crystal Palace.
While it is just one match, scrutiny is likely to remain as Chelsea seek to build on their summer Club World Cup victory. Some have tipped them for a title challenge, but improvement in creativity and finishing will be needed to compete with Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City over a 38-game season.
00:00Chelsea used sixth attackers, signed for a combined £250m in their Premier League opener, but were unable to find a way past Crystal Palace.
00:10Gio Pedro signed from Brighton, £55m led the line, flanked by £52m winger Jamie Gittons on one side and £45m Pedro Neto on the other.
00:22Cole Palmer, the £40m attacking midfielder, played a number 10 role.
00:25Despite Chelsea's attacking firepower, Palace dominated the early stages, nearly taking the lead.
00:31When Iberici has a rifled a 30-minute free kick, only for VAR to rule it out as captain Mark Gaii was too close to the defensive wall.
00:40Chelsea responded in the second half by bringing on two more new signings, £29m winger Esteval Willian and £30m striker Liam De Laap.
00:50Both squandered clear opportunities, as did fellow substitutes Andre Santos, and the Blues were held to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge in a disappointing start to the season.
01:01While it is just one match, scrutiny is likely to remain as Chelsea seek to build on their summer Club World Cup victory.
01:09Some have tipped them for a title challenge, but improvements in creativity and finishing will be needed to compete with Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City over a 38-game season.
01:22Chelsea had only three shots on targets, one fewer than Palace, but recorded an expected goals figure of 1.81, higher than Palace's 1.07.
01:32This was Chelsea's highest XG without scoring in the league in 2025.
01:37Mareska remained upbeat, despite the result, noting the short pre-season and the need for new signings to settle in.
01:44Jaapeda is already impressed with three goals in three competitive starts.
01:48The manager also praised academy graduate Jossa Championg for stepping in at centre-back following Levi Colwell's injury.
01:58Chelsea remain open to selling Nicholas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku, while targeting a forward before the 1st of September transfer deadline,
02:07with a hand of Joe Garnaccio and Xavi Simmonds among the players linked to Stamford Bridge.
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