Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool defender and football pundit, criticized Chelsea players Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella for their performances in a disappointing 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Enzo Maresca’s side started 2025 with a dropped point, leaving both fans and analysts questioning several aspects of their play.
Carragher specifically pointed out issues with Chelsea’s defensive structure and game management. He commented after the match:
“They {Gusto and Cucurella} are still the weak links in the team; the coach needs to address that… It’s also about game management; Chelsea sometimes lack that. They need to know when to slow things down, have players drop off, and someone sit alongside Moisés Caicedo in midfield, rather than always pushing forward.”
Although Chelsea initially took the lead with a superb first-half combination between Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho, they were unable to maintain their advantage, allowing Palace to equalize and split the points.
The result leaves Chelsea in fourth place in the Premier League, but with Newcastle United just one point behind and Manchester City only two points away, their position in the top four is now at risk.
Both teams now turn their attention to the FA Cup third round. Chelsea will host Morecambe at Stamford Bridge on January 11, while Crystal Palace will face Stockport County the next day.
Chelsea’s next league fixture is at home to Bournemouth on January 14, with Palace set to travel to Leicester City on January 15.
