Chelsea 3–0 Wolves
by Amar Azam
at Stamford Bridge 

THERE is plenty for Chelsea supporters to ponder on following this routine victory over a struggling Wolves side, that offered little resistance against a team bristling with confidence and creativity.   

Graham Potter’s Chelsea registered their first win at Stamford Bridge, with goals from Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic and Armando Broja giving the home side the points.  

It’s now three straight wins for the former Brighton boss. After a disastrous opening to the campaign, the optimism is slowly returning to this part of west London.

Chelsea fans must be wondering what this expensively assembled squad is capable of this season.  

In truth, this wasn’t the biggest examination for Chelsea. There was little threat from Wolves, who remain without a manager following the recent sacking of Bruno Lage. They continue to remain in the relegation zone.  

Chelsea face AC Milan again in the Champions League tomorrow, a match that comes a week after a straightforward 3-0 win for Potter’s men in the reverse fixture. The trip to Italy will be arguably his toughest test in his short tenure.  

Things don’t get much easier for the new Chelsea boss after the trip to the San Siro. With his side playing twice weekly ahead of the month-long November break for the World Cup, Potter continues to size up his options from his talented squad.  

He opted to leave a number of key players on the substitutes’ bench for this match, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Raheem Sterling and Reece James all missing out against Wolves. 

Mason Mount, a player who, like many others, had seemingly faded under former manager Thomas Tuchel, was the star performer in this win, along with Conor Gallagher.

Cesar Azpilicueta too was in fine form in an unorthodox 4-2-3-1 formation in which he pushed wide on the right wing at every opportunity.  

“We’ve got a really good group that are committed, together and fighting for each other,” said Potter, who made seven changes to the team that lined up against AC Milan last week. 

“I don’t think we can succeed with just 11 players. I don’t think it’s right to keep eleven going until they fall down and get injured and then we play the next ones. I don’t think that’s good for the group dynamic.” 

Meanwhile, Wolves are expected to start discussions with Julen Lopetgui, the former Spain and Real Madrid boss, as the replacement for Lage. The Spaniard was sacked by Sevilla last week.

If a deal goes ahead, he could be appointed in time for Wolves’ visit of Nottingham Forest on the weekend.  

Wolves caretaker manager Steve Davis said: “We need to get more bodies in the box. There were not enough people in the box taking risks.” 

Chelsea will travel to the Midlands to face Aston Villa next Sunday as they continue to work through a congested fixture schedule.