Chelsea secured their place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over Cardiff City, but the performance of several fringe players left manager Enzo Maresca with more questions than answers. The match highlighted a glaring opportunity on the left wing that remains fiercely contested within the squad.
Gittens Fails to Seize His Chance
With the left-wing position seemingly up for grabs in Premier League matches, all eyes were on Jamie Gittens, the £52 million summer signing from Borussia Dortmund. Handed a start against the Championship side, the young Englishman was given a prime opportunity to stake his claim. However, he struggled to make an impact against Cardiff's defence, failing to impress for the first team once again.
While Gittens has shown considerable promise for England's Under-21s, his performance in this cup tie did little to convince Maresca he deserves more minutes in the league. In a stark contrast, Alejandro Garnacho, introduced at half-time, scored twice to emphatically state his case for the role. Pedro Neto, another substitute, also found the net, further highlighting the gap Gittens must bridge.
Disjointed Display from Changed Side
Gittens was not the only player who disappointed in a disjointed first-half display. Maresca made 11 changes to the side that beat Everton 2-0 in the Premier League, and the lack of cohesion was evident. The Blues managed just one shot on target before the break, created by Moises Caicedo's clever midfield turn and pass to Marc Guiu.
Misunderstandings were rife, exemplified when Facundo Buonanotte dummied a pass expecting Guiu to run onto it, only for Cardiff to intercept. The pair had shared just 45 minutes on the pitch together this season prior to this match. Maresca's reliance on his bench to bail out the experimental lineup was clear, continuing a trend of constant rotation; he has now made 134 changes to his starting line-ups in 25 matches this season, an average of 5.36 per game.
Caicedo's Costly Card and Maresca's Message
The victory was marred by a needless yellow card for captain on the night, Moises Caicedo. Having already been booked in this competition for dissent against Wolves, the midfielder received a second caution for sarcastically applauding the referee. This means he will be suspended for the first leg of the semi-finals.
Amid recent speculation, Maresca made a pointed effort to connect with the travelling supporters after the final whistle. He approached the away end, blew kisses, and patted his heart, which was met with chants of his name. The manager later stated, 'Anything I do is just because I want the best for this club, for the fans, for everyone.'
A Silver Lining for Buonanotte
There was a positive note for Facundo Buonanotte, who had not started a game since late October. After a difficult first half, the Brighton loanee improved significantly after the break. He was instrumental in the opening goal, intercepting a Cardiff pass and setting up Garnacho to score. Buonanotte later went close with a curling effort from 25 yards, offering a glimpse of the quality that could earn him more opportunities.
Chelsea progress, but the search for a consistent and convincing left-wing option continues, with Garnacho's brace making him the firm frontrunner after this cup tie.
