By Agency Reports
Chelsea used six attackers signed for a combined £250m in their Premier League opener, but could not find a way to score against Crystal Palace.
Joao Pedro, signed from Brighton this summer for £55m, started up front. Winger Jamie Gittens, who joined from Borussia Dortmund for £52m last month, made his debut on one flank, with £45m man Pedro Neto on the other.
Cole Palmer, the £40m attacking midfielder, played in behind as a number 10 – but despite Chelsea’s attacking riches it was Palace who dominated the early stages and almost opened the scoring.
Midfielder Eberechi Eze rifled home a 13th-minute free-kick, but the goal was subsequently ruled out by VAR because Palace captain Marc Guehi was less than one metre away from the hosts’ defensive wall.
Chelsea responded in the second half by bringing on two more new attacking signings – £29m winger Estevao Willian, who joined from Palmeiras, and £30m former Ipswich striker Liam Delap.
They both missed big chances, as did fellow substitute Andrey Santos, as the Blues were held to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge in a disappointing start to the new season.
While this was only one match, and no titles are decided on the opening weekend, there will be ongoing scrutiny around Chelsea if they fail to build on their Club World Cup victory in the summer.
Some have tipped the Blues to mount a title challenge, but they will need to improve both creativity and goal-scoring to challenge champions Liverpool and the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City over a 38-game season.
That said, Chelsea’s internal target remains to qualify for next season’s Champions League through a top-four finish.