Chelsea kicked off their UEFA Conference League campaign with a commanding 4-2 victory over Gent on Thursday night, Soccernet.football reports.
The Blues, considered pre-tournament favourites, showcased their depth by rotating the squad heavily, making 11 changes. Despite the overhaul, the team maintained momentum to seal their fifth consecutive win across all competitions.
Enzo Maresca’s side played an attacking brand of football, with Renato Veiga, Pedro Neto, Christopher Nkunku, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall all finding the back of the net.
The performance underscored the vast pool of talent at Chelsea’s disposal this season. Fans were particularly impressed with Dewsbury-Hall, who delivered what many believe was his best performance for the club.
One standout from the match was 21-year-old Renato Veiga, who usually plays in deeper roles. A €14 million signing from Basel this summer, Veiga was unplayable against Gent.
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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was quick to praise the Portuguese international’s versatility, as he played an advanced role against Gent, even scoring his first goal for the club.
Maresca shared his thoughts post-match via Football’London, saying: “He is tall, he is big. Tonight, he played like an attacking midfielder, in the pocket for the first time of the season for us. He did very well. You never imagine Renato arriving in the box and scoring from the other side. That means he is doing well.”
Veiga’s adaptability has been a huge asset for the team, as Maresca highlighted: “When we needed him as a holding midfielder against Bournemouth, he was there.
“The other day against Brighton, as a full-back. He is versatile. Tonight he was playing like an attacking midfielder but overall I think he did well.”
Chelsea’s youthful squad also impressed physically, with powerful players like Veiga, Cesare Casadei, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Benoit Badiashile proving that the Blues have both the skill and physical strength to compete on multiple fronts this season.
