CHELSEA’S kids fell to an EFL Cup defeat to League One Wycombe.
A much-changed academy side, with a number of big names missing, competed well at Adams Park, having won their opening group game on penalties against Bristol Rovers.
Chelsea’s kids fell to defeat against League One Wycombe Credit: Getty
Elsewhere, Kendry Paez finds his career at a crossroads this summer Credit: Getty
But the Blues faded after the break and conceded twice to Mohamed Keita and then late with Caolan Boyd-Munce finding the back of the net.
Harrison Bettoni grabbed a Chelsea goal during injury time but the visitors lacked attacking threat for the most part. JattvibeSport runs you through three things we learned…
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IN MORE ways than one, Chelsea’s kids were mirroring Xabi Alonso‘s first team.
The shape here at Adams Park was very similar to that which the Spaniard has been using since arriving at Stamford Bridge.
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Chelsea’s back four quickly became a five when they were out of possession, with winger Sol Gordon playing the Pedro Neto role of tucking in at wing-back before having to dash forwards when on the ball.
There was a reflection of the first team too in that they could not match up defending and attacking.
Despite conceding twice, they looked rather more stable at the back, a goalkeeping blunder aside, especially compared to Alonso’s men, with Justin Osagie standing out and his partner Dante Waite not afraid of a challenge.
But going forwards they lacked a cutting edge, very much in contrast to the seniors.
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Jashayde Greenwood had a fine chance early in the second half, sent through one-on-one after a poor pass back, but could not finish and allowed Mikki van Sas to save.
Sol Gordon saw another strike stopped and it took a set piece to bring about Bettoni’s late goal.
KENDRY PAEZ has found his career at a crossroads after this summer.
Bombed out of the River Plate squad while on loan, the Ecuadorian was recalled to Chelsea late in the summer window.
With no international loan spots for him, another move in England was the plan, though there was little interest.
Xabi Alonso has confirmed that the midfielder, who was on loan at Strasbourg before going back to South America for the spell with River, is not in his first team plans.
It is somewhat of a drop-off having been named in the Ecuador squad for the World Cup, where he made one appearance.
So for the time being, the academy is the only platform on offer.
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Despite being the biggest name in the squad, Paez was named on the bench here, though he was sent on shortly after the hour mark.
He quickly played a smart ball round the corner from deep which led to Sol Gordon seeing a powerful effort saved.
With a host of scouts watching on, Paez then delivered a late assist for the travelling Blues.
After a short corner, he lifted a high cross to the far post where the highly-rated Bettoni was on hand to tap in thanks to some weak goalkeeping.
GOALKEEPING worries have plagued Chelsea in recent years, and it seems they are not limited to the first team.
Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen and even new man Emiliano Martinez have struggled between the sticks under a succession of managers with the senior side.
And the academy are not immune either.
After a largely solid showing at the back, youngster Toby Bell dropped his teammates in it late on, giving the ball straight to a Wycombe man which resulted in their second goal, bagged by Caolan Boyd-Munce, five minutes from time.
Bell, 17, had not looked out of place before then, especially considering he was thrown into the starting XI less than an hour before kick-off.
The Blues had initially named Freddy Bernal to start in goal but made a late change, naming Bell between the sticks.
Chelsea XI: Bell; Osborne, Osagie, Waite, Richards (Diakite, 62′); Silva (Paez, 62′), McMahon (Grimwade, 89′); Greenwood (Eboue, 62′), Bettoni, Gordon; Ezenwata
