Chelsea 4 Maccabi Tel Aviv 0 reaction: Five things we learnt from Stamford Bridge

Rajkovic flounders; Rahman and Loftus-Cheek impress; Fabregas better

(Getty Images)

Rajkovic’s grasp on ‘new Courtois’ tag looks shaky

Predrag Rajkovic arrived at Stamford Bridge with the reputation of being one of the best young goalkeepers in Europe. He was part of the Serbia team who won the Under-20 World Cup this summer and was signed by Maccabi Tel Aviv, ahead of competition from across Europe, for an Israeli record fee. But he had a desperately difficult evening.

He conceded one penalty, for which he should have been sent off, and should have conceded another for tripping Ruben Loftus-Cheek. He should have done better for Willian’s goal, too, and did not look comfortable on crosses. If he is “the new Thibaut Courtois”, he needs more work.

Mourinho needs his fix of the drug of competition

There are times when these group stage mismatches can lack intensity, with teams still trying to find their way into the new season. All the intensity and focus Chelsea needed, and more, was generated on the touchline by Jose Mourinho. He was living every touch and move of this game as if it was a final, furiously kicking air when Rajkovic was only booked for his early trip on Willian, and celebrating wildly when the second penalty was awarded at the end of the first half. Every decision was contested and he looked like a man with more enthusiasm than ever for the drug of competition.

Loftus-Cheek offers the complete midfield package

When Loftus-Cheek was booked after 40 seconds for a late tackle on Nikola Mitrovic, there were fears that this big night for the big youngster might be unfortunately curtailed. But after that one unfortunate moment, Loftus-Cheek played immaculately, breaking up attacks, passing sharply and driving purposefully forward with the ball. He showed, in fact, the complete set of skills you would like to see from a young central midfielder in the modern game.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek was very impressive in midfield (PA)

Rahman brings an athletic dimension to filling gaps

This is a Chelsea team in need of width and pace and so it was pleasing to see the debut of Baba Rahman, the £20m signing from Augsburg. He played with drive and courage, providing an athletic option which Chelsea have lacked recently. Cesar Azpilicueta is a reliable performer, but Rahman has more physical presence, and allows Azpilicueta to switch across to replace the fading Branislav Ivanovic.

Fabregas may need belt and braces support behind

Cesc Fabregas produced two impressive attacking moments, clipping in the perfect cross for Diego Costa’s volley before finishing the fourth goal after a good run off the ball. For a player who has struggled to make an impact this season, that is nothing to be sniffed at. The real question with Fabregas is what combination he works best in and whether he can be used in a midfield pair with Nemanja Matic. Chelsea’s best option may be to give Fabregas a two-man platform behind him, with Matic, Ramires, or even Loftus-Cheek.