Maresca bemoans Chelsea’s lack of quality in the final third

Chelsea manager Enzo Marcesca has bemoaned the lack of quality his side displayed in the final third in their 4-2 pre-season loss at the hands of Manchester City.

Erling Haaland scored an early hattrick and Oscar Bobb added another before Chelsea pulled a couple back in the second half through Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke.

“Very strange game. We planned the game and it was good. And first half, aside from conceding two goals, the team was good. You plan the game one way, concede and then the dynamic changes. On the ball, the team created chances. But we had a lack of quality in the final third, especially one versus one”, Maresca commented after the game.

Chelsea started with two proper attackers in Mykhailo Mudryk and Christopher Nkunku, while the likes of Noni Madueke, Raheem Sterling, and Marc Guiu came on off the bench.

Maresca also shared what he thought was the best position for Sterling, who scored against his former side. “I see him as a winger. I don’t see him in another position. For sure, he is one of our important players.”

Chelsea have to fix up fast, with their first game of the Premier League season also against Manchester City, scheduled on 18th August. The Blues have already lost against Celtic before this and have drawn against Wrexham.

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