Chelsea’s new signings, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens, made their debuts in the 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace, but it was Estêvão Willian who stole the show with a promising cameo. Here’s a breakdown of the match ¹ ²:
– Chelsea’s Struggles: Chelsea dominated possession with 71% but failed to create clear-cut chances. Their new signings, Pedro and Gittens, struggled to make an impact, while Cole Palmer had a quiet game.
– Pedro Neto’s Bright Moment: Pedro Neto was Chelsea’s standout player, creating space and showing intent in the first half. He could have been the hero if his teammates had capitalized on his efforts.
– Estêvão’s Promise: Estêvão Willian, who replaced Gittens in the 54th minute, injected energy into Chelsea’s attack. Although he couldn’t control his effort and score, his performance raised hopes for the future.
– Crystal Palace’s Defense: Palace’s defense, marshaled by Marc Guehi and Maxence Lacroix, was solid and well-organized, limiting Chelsea’s scoring opportunities. Eberechi Eze had a goal disallowed for a technical foul, showcasing the attention to detail in Palace’s strategy.
– Player Ratings: According to Squawka, Robert Sanchez received a rating of 7.8, while Reece James got 7.9. For Palace, Dean Henderson earned a rating of 7.3, and Eze scored 7.0.

Key Moments:

– Eze’s Disallowed Goal: Eberechi Eze’s stunning free-kick was disallowed due to Marc Guehi’s proximity to the Chelsea wall, highlighting the intricacies of the game.
– Chelsea’s Missed Opportunities: Chelsea’s substitutes, Liam Delap and Andrey Santos, had chances to score but failed to capitalize on them, with Santos’ effort sailing over the bar in stoppage time.

Post-Match Analysis:

The draw marked Chelsea’s first failure to score at home in 2025, while Palace earned a valuable point. With both teams showing glimpses of potential, the match was a promising start to the season. As Chelsea continues to integrate new signings, the team’s performance will be closely watched ³.