It was all smiles at Stamford Bridge moments before kick-off in Chelsea against Servette. Joao Felix was introduced to the crowd for the second time after the 24-year-old completed a permanent move from Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
Felix was not signed in time to be involved in the Blues’ Conference League play-off first-leg but he was in attendance in SW6 as he watched his new teammates in action. Thankfully for Chelsea, it ended in smiles – although 45 minutes in, there was not too much smiling going on from a Blues point of view.
A dull, drab and substandard first-half from Chelsea’s perspective saw the two sides go into the break goalless. Enzo Maresca needed to try and eradicate any complacency from his team, who in the first-half looked as if they thought turning up on the evening would ensure a win against the Swiss side.
In the second-half, though, it was far better from Chelsea. An aggressive start to the second period – on and off the ball – saw the hosts quickly go ahead via a penalty from Christopher Nkunku. It was officially the first goal of the Maresca reign at Stamford Bridge.
It could have – and should have – been two just moments later. Marc Guiu, whose pressing was excellent throughout his 58-minute stint on the pitch, charged down the Servette goalkeeper and found himself with the easiest of tap-ins. However, the Spanish teenager scuffed his shot and Jeremy Frick managed to save it – and the following two strikes from Guiu, who somehow did not score his first goal for the club.
Noni Madueke was one of the three substitutes that came on for Guiu, Nkunku and Pedro Neto, and the 22-year-old winger quickly made an impact on the game. After a fine pass from Enzo Fernandez, another one of the subs, Madueke took a perfect first touch in order to set himself before firing the ball between Frick and the near post on his weaker right foot.
A first win for Maresca – and hopefully one that gives his side some confidence and perhaps a bit of momentum going into Sunday’s trip to Wolverhampton. Below are some moments you may have missed from the win, as well as some of the big talking points coming from the game…
Felix’s classy gesture
Just as we witnessed with Neto at half-time of the pre-season friendly with Inter Milan, Felix was unveiled to the Stamford Bridge faithful on Thursday night. This time, though, it was pre-kick-off as Felix got to meet the supporters he spent a bit of time with during the 2022/23 season in his previous loan spell.
🇵🇹 pic.twitter.com/0TAaEmanWv
— Bobby Vincent (@BobbyVincentFL) August 22, 2024
There were plenty of waves from the Portugal international to his adoring fans as well as a few hits of the Chelsea badge. He wanted this move back to west London. Desperately.
football.london understands that as soon as Felix heard a return to Stamford Bridge was a possibility, he pushed hard to make sure it became a reality. There were some intense and drawn out negotiations between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid before the deal was finally agreed, but from the player’s side it was crystal clear: he was desperate for a return.
Unfortunately, Felix was not eligible to play against Servette but with a few more training sessions at Cobham under his belt, the Portuguese attacker will be hopeful of making the squad for the weekend’s visit to Molineux to take on Wolves. It will be his second debut for the club should he feature – and he will be hoping it goes a lot better than last time where he was sent off away at Fulham.
Chelsea staff scream at Neto
Neto made his full debut for the club and was very impressive. The Portugal international showed glimpses of his ridiculous talent against a Servette defence that seemed to fear for their lives every time he was running at them.
That is his game; directness, trickery and sheer speed. His pace is frightening. As far as full debuts go, it was really promising from Neto, but he did not always please the Chelsea coaching staff.
About 15 minutes in, Servette had a corner on their right-hand side and they were looking to play it short. At this point, Neto was on the edge of the Chelsea box looking around and simultaneously, virtually everyone in the Blues dugout, bar the substitutes, rose to their feet and screamed at Neto to go and mark the short option.
Neto, probably scared at all the shouting in his direction, quickly obliged and marked his man.
Madueke sends Maresca message
After not being used at all in Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester City at the weekend, it was a big night for Madueke. The winger will have been disappointed not to start but he was able to show his talent when coming on just before the hour-mark.
During his celebration, Madueke put his right hand up to his ear, almost to ask: ‘What did you say?’. It felt as if the celebration had some meaning to it.
Leading up to the game, there had been plenty of speculation over the winger’s future at Stamford Bridge and with all that has happened with Raheem Sterling this week, it was the right time for Madueke to send Maresca a reminder of his undeniable talent. However, Maresca, while praising Madueke for how he has been since the pair have worked together, was quick to remind the tricky wide man of where he needs to improve.
“I really like Noni,” the Chelsea head coach explained after the win against Servette. “The only problem with him probably is that he has to understand he needs to be consistent during the week; every training, every training, every training. But he is a good player and he is doing well with us.”
