Chelsea lost 3-1 to Bayern Munich in their Champions League opener.
An own goal from Trevoh Chalobah gifted Bayern the lead, before Harry Kane converted a penalty. Cole Palmer struck back two minutes later, looking like he’s back at full fitness.
But Kane, who made some interesting comments about Chelsea fans ahead of the game, popped up again in the second half, sealing the defeat.
Fans won’t be angry at losing at the Allianz Arena. Bayern’s record there speaks for itself. But the Chelsea faithful seem to be in agreement about two performances.
Fans not convinced by centre-back pairing of Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo
Chalobah’s own goal was unfortunate. Michael Olise’s cross fizzed in and he couldn’t adjust his feet in time. But the overall performance was underwhelming, as was that of Tosin Adarabioyo, and fans are making their opinion on the two clear.
Chelsea fans are in agreement, almost. No one is praising this pairing, but exactly who had a worse game is being debated. That in itself says something.
One fan writes: “Tosin being Chelsea’s best centre back is not what I expected tbh. Chalobah this game dear God.”
Similarly: “Sell Chalobah. Enough is enough.”
Another has the opposite view: “Don’t blame Chalobah, look at Tosin,” backed up by this fan: “For three straight matches, Tosin Adarabioyo had been terrible, costing us goals.”
But everyone is in agreement that the two together is not a fun watch.
“Trevor Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo can not be your starting CB pairing at the highest level of football. Chelsea please c’mon,” says another disgruntled supporter.
Levi Colwill’s absence has taken an important leader off the pitch, but his composure and technical soundness are even more of a loss.
This fan says: “The loss of Colwill will be Chelsea’s undoing all season. Chalobah and Adarabioyo is a Europa/Conference League center-back pairing.”
The verdict seems to be clear from supporters of the Blues: “Chalobah and Tosin are not UCL level, man.”
Chalobah and Tosin aren’t bad players, but fans are right
Fans are correct in saying this pairing doesn’t work.
There’s enough evidence to suggest this isn’t the way forward for Enzo Maresca.
Both Tosin and Chalobah have shown they can perform at a high level, but with a more composed centre-half alongside them (i.e. Levi Colwill) who can take more responsibility in possession.
Either of the two could play alongside Colwill and did so competently, but clearly their skillsets combined isn’t enough to inspire confidence in the Chelsea support.
Jorrell Hato, anyone?
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