The defense of Axel Disasi and Noni Madueke during Brentford’s opening game against the Blues on Saturday did not impress Chelsea great Frank Leboeuf.
Frank Leboeuf has now criticized Axel Disasi and Noni Madueke for failing to handle Ethan Pinnock at the back post in an ESPN FC interview.
Marc Cucurella was also criticized by the former Chelsea defender after he lost a fantastic chance to score in the first half.
The Blues paid a heavy price for it as Brentford won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge behind goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Pinnock.
Leonard Leboeuf Not thrilled with Noni Madueke and Axel Disasi
Prior to Pinnock’s score, Leboeuf was not pleased with what he saw from Disasi and Madueke.
Speaking about the Chelsea pair on ESPN FC, he stated: “The goal they gave up was a mistake by Cucurella in the first place, and then a major error by Madueke and Disasi at the far post. And that has to do with covering, with communication, with everything. And that is deficient, absurd.
Axel Disasi and Noni Madueke’s poor performance
Disasi and Madueke would not have pleased Mauricio Pochettino either.
Neither player actually presented a serious aerial challenge to Pinnock, therefore it was a terrible goal to give up. It was evident that there was a breakdown in communication, which may have resulted from the fact that Madueke and Disasi had not previously collaborated on the same flank and had hardly ever played together.
Nevertheless, it was insufficient, and Chelsea had to bear the consequences.
Chelsea fans won’t likely see that Disasi and Madueke combination too much, though.
The latter is not even a starter at Stamford Bridge yet, while the former typically plays in central defense.
But they are not only to blame for the Blues’ most recent setback. Once more, the squad’s offensive efforts were insufficient. If Cucurella had seized his opportunity or threw the ball to Madueke, Chelsea would have taken a 1-0 lead and the outcome of the match would have likely changed in their favor.