Chelsea depth 'can be a gift and a curse'

Image source, Getty Images

  • Author, Nizaar Kinsella
  • Role, 麻豆社 Sport football news reporter

Chelsea made XI changes in the 5-0 win at home to Barrow, but still had an attack featuring Christopher Nkunku, Joao Felix, Mykhailo Mudryk and Pedro Neto.

That exceptional front four cost a combined 拢238m against the League Two minnows worth less than a combined 拢1m pound.

Incredibly, the only starters included on the bench from the 3-0 win over West Ham were Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwill as the other nine players were rested, watching on in their casual clothes from behind the dugout.

No team in English football has depth comparable to Chelsea's, with their team photo last week having 29 players in it - not including 拢17m signing Deivid Washington and academy duo Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong - who both featured against Barrow.

The 5-0 win was a masterclass of finishing with Nkunku scoring from the Blues' first two chances, before Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman scored an own goal and Pedro Neto struck immediately after half-time.

The second half saw the strange scene of Ben Chilwell getting his first game time under Enzo Maresca in a 45 minute cameo when the game was already won - a far cry from his previous successes lifting the Champions League or earning 19 caps for England.

Carney Chukwuemeka would at least expect to be starting these games after joining from Aston Villa two years ago, but he got just 15 minutes, coming on for Felix who looked frustrated not to be completing the full 90 having only played as a substitute since joining from Atletico Madrid.

Even youngsters Acheampong and George, both 18, may have wanted more minutes having seen Manchester City start a host of academy players against Championship side Watford.

There were, of course, positives with Malo Gusto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall returning after missing recent matches.

But depth can be a gift and a curse for Chelsea as the season unfolds.

It will be hard to keep everyone happy even if Maresca tries to spread the minutes, but there may also be moments where the options are the envy of the rest of the Premier League.