Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea side dropped two vital points in their 2-2 draw against Ipswich. However, it could have been far worse, having gone into the half time interval 2-0 down courtesy of goals from Julio Enciso and Ben Johnson.
In the first half, the Blues had 76% possession, generating 1.03 xG, creating two big chances and taking 15 shots, but didn’t manage to find the breakthrough.
This saw Chelsea come out far more aggressive in the second half, adjusting to Maresca’s attacking 2-2-5-1 shape at times and looking to take the game to Ipswich even more.
In the second half, the Blues had 72% possession, generated another 1.11 xG, created two more big chances and took a further 19 shots, this time managing to score two goals for their efforts, making it 2-2 courtesy of an own goal from Axel Tuanzebe and Jadon Sancho, taking a point from the game.
But, one point will be seen as a huge failure for Chelsea, as they now drop to sixth in the Premier League, sitting one point off Manchester City in fifth, two points off of Newcastle in fourth and three points off of Nottingham Forest in third.
Cole Palmer's woes continue
Cole Palmer has long been the star man for Chelsea, scoring 14 times this season, providing nine assists and totaling 2,962 minutes played.
However, despite adding another assist to his tally against Ipswich, the 22-year-old has been in disappointing form for some time.
Against Kieran McKenna’s side, Palmer had 77 touches, made four key passes and took six shots (only one on target), but the England international has looked off the pace in recent weeks.
He’s lacked confidence and conviction in his actions, having four of his shots easily blocked and losing his duels (seven of his nine in total).
Chalkboard
Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Whether Palmer can find some confidence and form during this last stretch of the season could be what stands between their Champions League chances, but he isn’t the only one struggling right now.
In fact, the Blues have a far bigger problem at the other end of the pitch, who continues to cost them points this campaign.
Chelsea's 5/10 flop must be axed
Chelsea continue to have struggles between the sticks, as Robert Sanchez put in another sub-par performance, being awarded a 5/10 match rating from GOAL, who wrote of his display that ‘the goalkeeper set a sour tone with incredibly poor distribution and looked a bag of nerves throughout.’
The 27-year-old has made as many as 28 appearances for the Blues this season, already conceding 33 goals, keeping seven clean sheets in 2,520 minutes played.
Sanchez often put Maresca’s side under pressure against Ipswich, looking to play out from the back, but only completing one of his nine long ball attempts in the game and having a 64% passing accuracy, losing possession and allowing Ipswich to attack the Blues when out of shape.
Minutes
90
Touches
35
Accurate Passes
16/25
Long Balls
1/9
Saves
2
High Claims
1
Errors lead to shot
1
These mistakes have been occurring all season. On certain occasions, the Spaniard has made some big saves to offset the criticism for his blunders, but that was not the case against Ipswich, as Sanchez only managed two saves, conceding two of the four shots on his goal.
Chelsea’s chances of playing Champions League football next season could fall flat due to their issues in this department, and whether they make it or not, big changes will be needed in the goalkeeping department next season, either from internal solutions or the transfer market. Sanchez must be axed, not just for their next game, but for next season.
He's like Estevao & Vini Jr: Chelsea plot £103m bid to sign Madrid star
Chelsea are looking for another new winger
ByJoe NuttallApr 10, 2025
