Chelsea beat Liverpool in a 1-1 draw

Both are on one point, but I rate Chelsea more highly

I want to begin this post by saying RIP to Nicolas Jackson's dick n' ballz. He got kicked in the package by VVD in the 47', and woof. That looked painful, but I digress.

HOLY EFFIN' SHIZ, PREM IS BACK, YOU GUYS!

For those that don't know, I'm a born-again football (soccer) sicko. I really fell in love with the game during the pandemic, and so I wanted to focus on writing more footy-based pieces this season. I figured what better way to ease myself in than with some of my thoughts on Chelsea/Liverpool!

My Chels dropped points to start the Poch era, but the draw was a nice result (and very on-brand for this matchup). Frankly, I’m incredibly pleased. There were some midfield and defensive breakdowns that led to two goals (one ruled offside), but the lads recovered very well and created several more chances for a match winner.

WOW, CFC IS FUN TO WATCH?

More than anything, this squad has far better ~vibes~. Once they sure up the defensive midfield and get everyone fit, they’ll be a very tough side to face each week.

Other than the fitness and work rate, one thing that really stuck out to me was Chelsea's attacking play. Under both Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter (and Frank Lampard and holy smokes why were there so many managers?), the Blues seemed allergic to producing in the final third. They'd possess the ball for the sake of possessing the ball, only to have an impotent off-target attempt from Havertz sail somewhere undesirable. Enjoy that, Arsenal fans...

However, the advent of a vertical player in Nicholas Jackson and a quick link-up #10 in Carney Chukwuemeka (and Nkunku) provide Poch's boys with a lot more legitimate attacking threats (and they can still possess the ball for much of the match).

When Jackson is able to leak out behind defenders, it opens up new areas for the rest of the outfield players. The gaps in the defense widen, and Chelsea's pinpoint-passing-trio of Reece James, Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwill can switch the field more easily and more often. Plus, when the field is more open, there's more opportunities for "players to make plays." Chelsea was able to equalize off one such play in the 37th minute when new-signing Alex Disasi scored in his Blues debut.

Axel Disasi celebrates after scoring his debut goal for Chelsea against Liverpool.

It's funny, I had been texting some of my fellow Chelsea friends that "Disasi looks lost [on defense]" and then he scored... I immediately rescinded that comment. I also want to take a moment and applaud him for his passion.

During one play in the first half, Disasi had to make a sliding tackle to break up a brilliant through ball into the middle. After the clearance, Disasi got up and shook his fists to pump himself up. It was exactly what I wanted to see after that type of play, and I loved eating my words! Good lad!

A FEW MORE NOTES I HAVE:

• Mudryk and Maatsen provided their "super-sub" powers to keep the pressure on Liverpool's defense in the final minutes. Poch should use them as a tandem often!

• 88' Sanchez poor passing almost cost us the match!

• I love this style of attacking football, great passing patterns!

• Malo Gusto continues to impress me!

The Blues next face West Ham (Premier League Round 2) on August 20 in their first London Derby of the campaign.