Jose Mourinho has confirmed which two players he felt stood out most for him in Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv in the first match of the UEFA Champions League Group stage. West London Sport confirms that he said:
(Cesc) Fabregas and Ruben (Loftus-Cheek) gave strength to the team
Most Chelsea fans will feel the same way after a dominating performance to relieve some of the pressure after the Blues’ worst start to a season in nearly thirty years. Loftus-Cheek was particularly impressive on his full debut in the competition, recovering from the setback of a booking in the first minute to deliver an assured performance in the middle of the park alongside Fabregas. The 19-year-old looked comfortable on the ball, rarely lost possession and in the second half made the kind of driving run that would make him an ideal partner for Nemanja Matic in future.
Fabregas looked better whenever he played in a more advanced position, using his technique and range of passing to cause problems for the opposition defence. He set up the third goal scored by substitute Diego Costa with a beautifully lofted pass and added the fourth and final goal tapping in from short range after Loic Remy’s shot was half-saved.
When discussing his side’s performance Mourinho said:
The team was more aggressive, (both) with the ball and without the ball. The pressing was stronger, the lines much closer together.
The win is only the team’s second of the season after losing the Community Shield final and three of the opening five league games. He continued:
To go to Cobham again to train after another defeat two days before a derby against Arsenal, I could imagine how difficult that would be. The victory was very important. In the last two seasons we didn’t start too well in the Champions League at home and we put ourselves in a situation where we have to win points away. This, plus Porto’s draw against Dinamo (Kiev), gives us a good situation.
