Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Chelsea Held to 0-0 at Bournemouth as Maresca Laments Final-Third Quality

A shoulder injury to Liam Delap deepens a shortage at centre-forward for a youthful, heavily rotated squad.

Overview

  • Chelsea failed to score for the first time since August in a drab stalemate on the south coast.
  • Enzo Maresca said his side lacked quality in the final third and made many mistakes in key attacking moments.
  • The draw leaves Chelsea fourth in the Premier League, five points off third and six behind second.
  • Delap went off with a shoulder injury, leaving Marc Guiu and Joao Pedro as the senior options up front ahead of Atalanta and Everton.
  • Maresca has defended frequent rotation due to fixture congestion and recently singled out Tosin Adarabioyo’s error in the 3-1 defeat at Leeds.