Glen Johnson played for West Ham, Chelsea, Portsmouth, and Liverpool from 1992 to 2013.
Image credit: Taiwo Wahab
Former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson has shared his thoughts on the Blues’ recent performance, highlighting the positive impact of manager Enzo Maresca.
“Chelsea have shown glimpses of promise, and it was important that they got the win against Bournemouth on Saturday night,” Johnson said while speaking to Betfred as found on a Facebook group.
Chelsea’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium demonstrated the team’s resilience and determination. Christopher Nkunku scored the decisive goal in the 86th minute, securing the crucial three points for Chelsea.
Johnson also praised Maresca’s straightforward approach to managing players.
“There have been some positives in their play, and the biggest thing for me is that Enzo clearly isn’t messing around,” Johnson noted. “If there’s a player that doesn’t look as if they’re not pulling in the right direction or playing the way he wants, then he will call them out on it. I guess you’ve got to respect him for that.”
Evidence of Maresca’s no-nonsense approach was apparent in Chelsea’s halftime substitution, introducing Jadon Sancho in place of Pedro Neto and later Christopher Nkunku replaced Nicolas Jackson.
Sancho’s impact was significant, providing the assist for Nkunku’s winning goal. This tactical decision showcased Maresca’s willingness to make tough calls and adjust his strategy to achieve the desired outcome.
The Blues now set their sights on next Saturday’s high-stakes London derby against West Ham at the London Stadium. With three precious points on the line, Chelsea will look to build momentum and climb the Premier League table.
Can Maresca’s tactical prowess and Chelsea’s newfound resilience propel them to victory in this crunch clash? Have your say in the comment section.
Read more of Glen Johnson’s expert analysis on Chelsea: