Ex-Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves does not think it has to be all doom and gloom for Chelsea following their loss to his former side on Wednesday night.
Bayern outclassed Chelsea at the Allianz Arena, beating Enzo Maresca‘s men 3-1 in their Champions League opener.
Harry Kane scored twice for the home side after an own goal from Trevoh Chalobah, while Cole Palmer grabbed the visitors’ consolation.
Chelsea fans were not happy with Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo’s performances, but Hargreaves thinks there is one thing that they can be positive about.
- READ MORE: What Chelsea players asked the referee to do after Cole Palmer’s goal against Bayern Munich
Enzo Maresca can be positive about Chelsea’s attacking play
Defensively, Chelsea were poor, gifting Bayern all of their goals. However, going forward, they were really exciting at times.
For Hargreaves, the fact that the Club World Cup winners did look dangerous on the counter-attack is something to be positive about.
Speaking on TNT Sports after the game (17/09/2025 at 22:09), the former Manchester United star said: “Yeah, I thought possession-wise Bayern dominated the start and they were quite efficient when the opportunities came.
“I think Chelsea did well to actually come back into the game, scored a fabulous goal on the counter and that’s the one positive thing for Enzo Maresca. They look quite dangerous going forward, obviously, with Cole Palmer.”
As is often the case, Palmer was Chelsea’s best attacker and probably their best player overall on the night.
Pat Nevin also reserved some praise for Joao Pedro, though, stating that his performance was “very impressive”. When Nevin discussed Pedro while commentating on the game, he said: “He is under a lot of pressure from Upamecano and Kim [Min-jae], who are both units. He has been very impressive tonight.”
Owen Hargreaves on Cole Palmer
Hargreaves is one person who would agree that Palmer was Chelsea’s standout individual at the Allianz.
Hargreaves was really impressed with Palmer’s goal, saying: “This finish, Cole is just ridiculous in these situations… I think he’s one of the few players that actually gets better the higher the level goes.”
If the Englishman can find similar positions on the pitch against another one of Hargreaves’ former sides on Saturday, United, Chelsea will win the game.
The Red Devils are in dire form and if Palmer can take his chances, it should be an easy victory.
That being said, Chelsea’s record at Old Trafford is dreadful. They have not won there since the 2012/13 season. If there is a time to end their barren run, it is now.
After that, they begin their League Cup campaign with a trip to League One outfit Lincoln City.
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