Graham Potter's first game at Chelsea finished with a similar sour taste as the end of Thomas Tuchel's tenure, with the Blues drawing vs RB Salzburg.
Graham Potter brought new ideas to Wednesday night's Champions League clash against RB Salzburg, but the 1-1 home result felt just as disappointing as the ones Thomas Tuchel oversaw on his way out the door of Stamford Bridge.
Potter began his tenure by optimising the play of Raheem Sterling, who was dangerous throughout when bursting forwards and surprisingly adept tracking back like a quasi-wing-back. Sterling's performance level will be key to the manager's success, and early signs are positive. The England international scored the opener, Blues fans roaring with approval when he nestled in a curling shot minutes after the half-time interval.
But longstanding problems also cropped up as Chelsea lacked a clinical edge in front of goal and, crucially, endured a defensive lapse in concentration that cost them three points as Noah Okafor equalised late.
Chelsea are still waiting for their first Champions League win this season. They haven't yet faced AC Milan, their chief rival in the group. It's probably too early to be worried about their chances of advancing to the knockout rounds, but Potter needs to lead improvement soon.
Getty ImagesThe Winners
Raheem Sterling:
The England international channelled his inner Leandro Trossard and looked seriously exciting for it. That's a comparison we never thought we'd make, but here we are.
Starting out wide – almost as a left wing-back at times – and then bursting inside, Sterling did well in responding to Potter's tactical influence and it hurt Salzburg when Chelsea fed him the ball. Be it arriving late into the box, taking the ball wide and crossing, or driving inside and creating panic, he was Chelsea's main threat.
Of course, this will take time and Sterling must trust in the manager's tactics. But the early signs were promising. His goal embodied everything that Potter's Chelsea were tying to do on the night with the overload at the back post, the deep cross and the late run. It was a lovely finish, too.
Encouraging stuff.
Kepa Arrizabalaga:
He was handed a rare opportunity to impress in a crucial game, and made a solid account of himself in the absence of Edouard Mendy.
Kepa's time at Chelsea has had it all. From a world record fee to public spats on the pitch, it's been disappointing to see him slump into a backup role, because he's better than that. And he showed it tonight with a cool, composed performance. Solid on the ball, confident hands, a positive starting position and good for a save when needed.
There's still a long way to go and he has plenty to do in order to dislodge Mendy to reclaim the No. 1 spot, but tonight certainly didn't hurt.
Mason Mount:
At a glance, Mount's performance wasn't anything to write home about. But it was an assured one, and one which saw him grow in confidence as the game progressed.
Mount impressed in ebbs and flows, showing glimpses of what he does best when he's on form. Sharp touches in tight spaces, neat link-up play with his team-mates and intelligent movements. Not everything he tried came off, and he wasn't tremendously busy, but the signs were positive.
Perhaps a touch fortunate to notch an assist at the expense of poor defending, the key takeaway is Mount being receptive to the tactical instructions.
Linked up well with James, moved intelligently and played the ball to the overload at the back post. Job done.
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Marc Cucurella:
All eyes were on Cucurella ahead of kick-off, with him essentially being Potter's top student by default.
The Spanish full-back left Brighton to sign for Chelsea in the summer after a stellar season thanks to Potter's help and was tipped to prove crucial tonight in the manager's first game in charge.
While his performance wasn't a bad one, it left a lot to be desired. Cucurella played as a left centre-back to allow Sterling to stretch the game, meaning he was restricted in his abilities to attack – a part of the game he excels at.
Credit to him for showing versatility, but he could have been better. Still, we trust Potter will find a way to get him forward in future.
Cesar Azpilicueta:
On a night where he wasn't called into action all too often, you'd expect someone of Azpilicueta's calibre to stay switched on when things got tough.
That didn't happen. Sure, Salzburg's goal was a combination of mistakes and Cucurella was arguably most at fault, but seeing Azpilicueta caught ball watching and flat-footed is rather concerning.
If you can't rely on him there, where can you rely on him?
Benjamin Sesko:
Welcome to the big leagues, kid.
A tough night at the office for the highly regarded 19-year-old who had to try and fashion chances while up against three central defenders. The service wasn't particularly great and when it was there, Sesko struggled to break beyond Chelsea's defence.
Experience won this time.
Getty ImagesChelsea Ratings: Defence
Kepa Arrizabalaga (7/10):
Salzburg didn't trouble Chelsea's stopper enough, in truth, but he made a solid low save to deny Benjamin Sesko in the first half. Could do very little to save the equaliser.
Marc Cucurella (5/10):
Cucurella was deployed as a central defender tonight so that Sterling could stretch the play. It meant he wasn't his usual, expressive self. It was that desire to attack which was his and Chelsea's undoing, getting caught out of position and leaving his defence compromised.
Thiago Silva (6/10):
Not too much to do for the veteran but was always keen to receive a pass and did well to evade the press. Wasn't at fault for Salzburg's equaliser, but did go out to make the tackle which didn't pay off. The ball had to go out of play and it didn't.
Cesar Azpilicueta (6/10):
A similar story for Azpilicueta, who was protected well by more youthful counterparts in the side but was caught flat-footed when trying to stop Salzburg from scoring. You'd count on someone as experienced as him not to switch off there.
Reece James (7/10):
Not everything came off, but you can already see how James could well flourish during the new era at Chelsea. Endlessly comfortable in possession when bringing the ball forward, but also completed his defensive duties.
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Mason Mount (7/10):
Some sharp touches and had a brilliant chance to fire Chelsea ahead after 40 minutes, when a crossed ball fell kindly to him on the edge of the box. Despite being unmarked, Mount fired wide. Improved as the game went on, though, and grabbed the assist for Chelsea's goal.
Mateo Kovacic (6/10):
Not bad. Kovacic's press resistance will be key moving forward and if he can stay fit, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him become a key player under the new manager.
Jorginho (7/10):
A very textbook Jorginho performance, which is him at his best. Not perfect, but much improved. Kept things ticking over in possession during the build-up play and began to find his range with more adventurous, long passes as the game grew on.