Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez shone on his debut and another new faces hinted at their potential however, after a 300 million kilos ($361.53 million) January spending spree, the identical issues weighed on the Blues of their 0-0 draw with Fulham on Friday.
With solely 22 objectives scored in 21 Premier League video games thus far this season, coach Graham Potter has but to discover a technique to flip the wealth of expertise in his enormous squad right into a profitable machine.
Argentina’s World Cup-winner Fernandez, purchased this week for a British report of virtually 107 million kilos from Benfica, flashed a shot simply large within the 72nd minute after an imperious first-half show of tackling and passing.
Fellow debutant David Datro Fofana, on as an alternative after the ahead’s switch from Molde of Norway, had a shot cleared nearly off the road seven minutes later.
Noni Madueke, an England youth worldwide who additionally got here off the bench for his first look for Chelsea since signing from PSV Eindhoven, confirmed some tempo and drive.
However for all the thrill created by the string of signings by the membership’s new American house owners within the mid-season switch window, there was acquainted frustration for the house followers as Chelsea struggled to interrupt down their organised guests.
“We did not do sufficient by way of our attacking play to create extra, which is one thing we have to do,” Potter – who’s below stress to reverse Chelsea’s slide to the center of the league desk – instructed reporters.
“That little bit of connection, that little bit of fluidity, that little bit of understanding that you just want, we lacked just a little bit.”
‘GEL THE TEAM’
Potter mentioned it was comprehensible that his facet, with wing again Reece James getting back from damage alongside the brand new faces, weren’t firing on all cylinders.
However he mentioned he was assured they may but end within the prime 4 and qualify for the Champions League subsequent season. Chelsea are presently 9 factors adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United who’ve a sport in hand.
“What we have to do now’s gel the staff. That’s the problem,” Potter mentioned.
Ukraine worldwide Mykhailo Mudryk, one other costly January signing from Shakhtar Donetsk, failed to search out the house he loved on his debut as an alternative in opposition to Liverpool two weeks in the past and was changed by Madueke at halftime.
Potter mentioned the winger had been affected by a chilly.
Fulham boss Marco Silva praised his staff, who beat Chelsea 2-1 at Craven Cottage in January.
“From the primary minute the gamers understood very well the plan and so they executed very well,” Silva mentioned.
Quite than fear about Chelsea’s new-look squad, he mentioned Fulham made positive they maintained the shape that has propelled them to sixth within the desk.
“Our focus to be trustworthy is on ourselves … and what we will do as a staff,” the Portuguese coach mentioned. “Our organisation was actually good and … we deserved the consequence.”