Gabriele Marcotti Names Chelsea’s Most Technically Gifted Players
Gabriele Marcotti has identified a quartet of players he believes are Chelsea’s most “technically gifted,” though he noted that only one currently starts in the team’s strongest lineup.
Despite the criticism Chelsea has faced over their transfer dealings in recent years, their squad is undeniably packed with talent. The challenge now rests with head coach Enzo Maresca to figure out how to get the best out of these players on the pitch.
According to ESPN, Maresca has been tasked with guiding Chelsea to a top-four finish, a reasonable expectation given the quality in the squad. However, the big question remains: can they find the consistency that has eluded them in recent seasons?
Chelsea’s Most Technical Players
ESPN pundit Gabriele Marcotti recently shared his opinion on Chelsea’s four most technically skilled players: Cole Palmer, Joao Felix, Christopher Nkunku, and Jadon Sancho. Unfortunately, Marcotti pointed out that only Palmer currently has a place in Chelsea’s preferred starting XI.
Marcotti told ESPN:
“Chelsea’s four most technically gifted players, just technical ability—whatever order you want to put them in—Cole Palmer, Joao Felix, Christopher Nkunku, and Jadon Sancho. Of those four, only one of them starts. That’s another weird team-building dysfunction.”
It’s hard to argue with Marcotti’s selections, though other names like Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto, Noni Madueke, and Nicolas Jackson could certainly be mentioned for their technical prowess as well.
Chelsea’s Competition for Places
It’s no secret that Maresca faces a tough task in trying to fit all of Chelsea’s talent into his starting XI, particularly in the attacking positions. With a busy fixture schedule, there should be opportunities for rotation and rest, ensuring more players get a chance to shine.
Looking at Manchester City, manager Pep Guardiola faces a similar challenge, yet he isn’t under constant media scrutiny over how he keeps all his stars happy. City boasts an elite squad with players like Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Erling Haaland, and Kevin De Bruyne, yet Guardiola manages to balance their minutes effectively.
At the end of the day, it’s up to Maresca to ensure that everyone in Chelsea’s squad stays motivated and engaged, even if they aren’t always in the starting lineup.
