Wrexham began their long-awaited tour of the United States as Chelsea won their first match under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The matchup between the Premier League powerhouses and the recently promoted League Two club drew a lot of attention because it was their first meeting in more than 40 years. In Chapel Hill, North Carolina’s 51,000-seat Kenan Memorial Stadium, the two teams faced off in the Championship rather than the previous Second Division, which has since been abolished.
The famous proprietors of Wrexham, Ryan Reyolds and Rob McElhenney, were not present as Pochettino’s revamped team defeated Wrexham 5-0. After both teams made significant substitutions and Conor Gallagher, Christopher Nkunku, and Ben Chilwell scored late, Ian Maatsen scored twice in the first half.
Here are five things from the game that you might have missed. It took place around 8 p.m. Eastern Time, but for Chelsea or Wrexham supporters at home, it was the middle of the night.
Wrexham keeps the Blues on hold
Prior to Chelsea’s first game on American soil, Wrexham kept them waiting. At Chapel Hill in North Carolina, the Blues had a 50,596-person audience waiting for them in the tunnel, but Wrexham didn’t appear hurried.
The team of Mauricio Pochettino and the referee had to wait for a while as Wrexham did not come out of their dressing room simultaneously. Everyone seemed ready to start the celebration, with the exception of Wrexham, so there was an awkward pause.
What prompted the delay is unknown, but Blues players, led by captain for the day Trevoh Chalobah, appeared visibly perplexed and angered by it. A match official eventually returned down the tunnel to urge the Red Dragons on.
They finally made their appearance in their brand-new white away uniform, headed by captain Ben Tozer and followed by goalkeeper Ben Foster, and were beaming as they met their Chelsea opponents.
At 8:04 p.m. ET, the game finally began, and the sold-out American crowd erupted in jubilant applause.
Jackson had a dream start.
When Nicolas Jackson was signed, there were questions about Chelsea’s search for a new attacking focal point. The eight-year contract that the £32 million Villarreal acquisition signed now requires him to show that he was a prudent financial decision.
Jackson gave Chelsea a taste of what made them decide to back him in less than three minutes. Beginning up front, he received the ball deep, brushed past Ben Tozer, attracted three Wrexham defenders, and then calmly delivered Ian Maatsen for a straightforward goal past Ben Foster.
While it was a special moment for Maatsen, who had just returned from a fruitful loan with Burnley, Jackson’s assist heralded a fantastic beginning to life in a Blue shirt.
Although there may be tougher hurdles in store, Pochettino and company are hoping that their stellar start will serve as the impetus for a successful debut Premier League campaign as Jackson strives to establish himself as Chelsea’s attack’s focal point.
Pochettino’s strategies
It marked the beginning of a new era for Chelsea and provided their first peek at life under new manager Maurico Pochettino.
Many supporters had anticipated a back five when he made his first starting lineup, however a 4-2-3-1 system was actually used instead. The Blues started with Ian Maatsen positioned further forward and Marc Cucurella at left-back, scoring two goals in the first half.
Highly regarded young players Cesare Casadei and Andrey Santos formed a double pivot in the midfield, with Carney Chuckwuemeka playing just off lone striker Nicholas Jackson in the No. 10 position and further forward. That was effective because Chuckwuemeka used a deft flick in a small opening at the edge of the box to set up Maatsen for his well-taken second goal.
At halftime, the entire front four were changed, with Raheem Sterling and Conor Gallagher coming on, and Christopher Nkunku taking over for Jackson as the No. 9 player. Brazilian winger Angelo also made his debut.
Marc Cucurella, who had been taken out at halftime, did eventually re-enter the game for the final five minutes. As Pochettino experimented with a back three in the dying moments with Ben Chilwell at wing-back, he returned as a left center-back.
More generally, the Blues’ high press was clearly back as they attempted to defend from the front and prevent Wrexham from settling into a routine. They were effective in doing so, and it provided a positive first look at Pochettino’s plan.
