Enzo Maresca has now completed his first 90 minutes as the new Chelsea manager during the pre-season tour of the United States.
While the 2-2 draw with Wrexham will not be exactly the result he was looking for, there were no doubt a number of positives to be taken from the fixture.
Chelsea supporters were delighted with Marc Guiu’s debut, with him showing plenty of promise at the age of just 18.
There were other strong performances too. Romeo Lavia and Reece James in particular will have impressed Maresca early on in the game.
As the Blues rang the changes in the second half, Ben Chilwell made his way onto the pitch, and he picked up a role that was pretty unfamiliar to him.
Ben Chilwell features at centre-back for Chelsea
According to Nizaar Kinsella, he was doing his work from a central defensive position.
He said: “It’s strange seeing Malo Gusto as an inverted full-back and Chilwell build up as a central defender.”
It had somewhat been a mystery just how important a role the vice-captain was going to play under the new manager, with his skillset not really suiting the role of an inverted full-back.
Chilwell under pressure from Marc Cucurella
Chilwell will also be concerned at the recent form of Marc Cucurella, who is yet to join up with the first team squad after his exploits at the European Championship.
It does feel as if this is somewhat of a last chance season for the England international, with there being some reports of a move away from the club.
The £50m summer signing from 2020 will be under pressure from Renato Veiga, who was in the first team squad for the draw last night.
With the next fixture being just a few days away, there is likely to be heavy change to the lineup that started this one, and this could see Chilwell handed a chance to play in a more familiar position out wide.
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