Chelsea face early questions after Palace draw

Gary Neville argues Chelsea lack a spine to match the league's top teams after a goalless opening day draw.

Chelsea face early questions after Palace draw and Neville critique

Chelsea were held to a goalless draw by Crystal Palace in their opening Premier League game, a result that underscored attacking concerns as the season begins. The visitors yielded few clear chances, with Andrey Santos and Trevoh Chalobah among those failing to convert late opportunities. Eberechi Eze's free-kick was ruled out for encroachment, sparing Robert Sanchez's blushes, and Joao Pedro started as the focal point but offered little threat. Delap came on for 17 minutes but Chelsea could not find a winner at Stamford Bridge.

Analysts, including Gary Neville, say Chelsea can still have a strong season but that attacking depth and a clear spine are missing when compared to the big three challengers. Neville cautioned that Pedro and Delap cannot be judged on equal terms with Arsenal, Manchester City, or Liverpool, and that the midfield and forward spine needs time to gel. The decision to start Pedro at nine and to leave Delap on the bench early drew scrutiny, a debate that will continue ahead of the next fixture against West Ham.

Chelsea's opener reveals a coaching puzzle. The plan relies on retooling the attack around Pedro and Delap, but Palace's physical back line neutralized them and the team lacked a clear alternative to threaten from the middle and wide areas. Delap's late cameo hints at a potential spark, but his impact requires more minutes to build confidence. The lineup choice also raises questions about how Maresca reads opponents who sit deep and how quickly he can adapt without sacrificing balance.

Going forward, the West Ham game will test Maresca's adaptability. If Chelsea can sharpen their spine and rotate options to keep defenses honest, they can still push for a strong campaign. The broader trend in the league is clear: teams with depth up front, not just flash, tend to challenge the very top.

Highlights

Patience meets planning as Chelsea chase a coherent identity.