It wasn’t a big surprise that coach Enzo Maresca opted for a strong rotation in his starting lineup today against Shamrock Rovers, apart from Marc Cucurella who misses our next game against Everton due to suspension. While the experience of the Irish team, who had only conceded four goals to date, was evident in the opening minutes of the game, the Blues quickly made their presence felt with Marc Guiu scoring the opening goal.

A small mental slip-up allowed Rovers to score an equalizer from a long-range corner from Markus Poom. However, the Blues got revenge three times before the end of the first half as Guiu completed a hat-trick and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall scored from an attack led by Christopher Nkunku.

In the second half, Chelsea could have taken a more relaxed approach from the start. But with so many ‘B team’ players eager to show off their skills, the Blues still pushed extremely high up the pitch to put the Rovers in deep trouble and push forward whenever possible was. On one of these occasions the Blues scored a fifth goal, with Marc Cucurella playing the left winger role.

Carefree!

• After putting pen to paper on an extension, Josh Acheampong will make his second start at right-back for the Blues.
• Really good goals from Marc Guiu today. While these reviews must keep the level of competition in mind, there is no way not to shower him with praise for his first-half hat-trick.
• The difference in level of play between Marc Cucurella and basically the entire Shamrock Rovers team is shocking.
• Next up: Everton away in the Premier League.
• KTBFFH!