‘What an idiot’ – Alan Brazil blasts ‘dope’ after what he did in Chelsea vs Barcelona
Enzo Maresca’s eyes will have lit up after being handed a major boost during Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Barcelona.
Even with Cole Palmer still sidelined, the Blues had no trouble when shoving the La Liga giants aside on Tuesday, 25 November, taking the lead through a Jules Kounde own goal in the first half.
Enzo Fernandez is attracting attention from across Europe, and the young Argentine was integral as the Premier League side ran out 3-0 winners at Stamford Bridge.
With Ferran Torres missing a sitter for Barca, bad went to worse pretty quickly, as Ronald Araujo was given his marching orders following a second bookable offence on Marc Cucurella.
Ronald Araujo red card hands three points to Chelsea
Hansi Flick’s side going down to 10 men set the tone for the remaining 45 minutes, and with Estevao netting again for Chelsea, before Liam Delap added a third, it was simple for the Blues.
The Barcelona defender was not only savaged by his own supporters. Speaking live on talkSPORT (26 November, 6:06am), Alan Brazil said: “It was a very good game, and then that dope gets sent off. What an idiot.”
Playing Devil’s advocate, Ray Parlour intervened, saying: “Well, he’s just sucked him in, and he’s committed himself. There are no complaints whatsoever over a second yellow.”
He also frustrated supporters by getting sent off during the 2023-24 Champions League campaign, and there was clearly a case of deja vu for the Spanish side at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca can mastermind Premier League victory over Arsenal
Maresca will be hoping to bring the performance into Sunday, 30 November, when his side face league leaders Arsenal in a top-of-the-table clash in the Premier League.
Victory would see the Blues move within three points of their London rivals, but should Mikel Arteta‘s side claim the win, it would be tough to rule the Gunners out of running away with the title.
Chelsea have not beaten Arsenal since 2021, losing six of the last eight meetings, and the Blues need to ensure that changes when the two sides meet at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
The likes of Estevao, Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, and Reece James could all be key, and many supporters will feel that the lineup should remain exactly the same for the extremely tough game.
Maresca has some interesting decisions to make, but the improvements that the manager has made over the last few months are night and day.