Get Newsletter
Notification products, updates
October 4, 2024
The midfielder found the net along with Renato Veiga, who also scored his first goal for the club, while Pedro Neto and Christopher Nkunku completed the scoring. Despite rotating the squad heavily, manager Enzo Maresca guided the team to a fifth consecutive victory across all competitions, maintaining momentum in their European campaign.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall was “over the moon” after netting his first Chelsea goal during their 4-2 UEFA Conference League victory over Gent, which showcased his excellent form. The 26-year-old midfielder scored Chelsea’s third goal of the night, showcasing manager Enzo Maresca’s effective strategy in revitalizing the squad early this season. Despite resting standout Cole Palmer, the Blues secured their fifth consecutive win across all competitions, demonstrating their depth in quality and ability to perform strongly even when key players are absent.
“I’m over the moon, I can’t lie,” Dewsbury-Hall expressed, reflecting on his first Chelsea goal, which he had eagerly awaited since joining the club. “Scoring was an amazing feeling, but winning the game with so many changes to the squad is a credit to everyone.” Despite not starting in any Premier League matches, the former Leicester City midfielder took full advantage of Maresca’s heavy rotation in the UEFA Conference League opener, emerging as Chelsea’s standout player in their 4-2 win against Gent.
While the impressive performance of Chelsea’s second string in Europe boosts confidence for manager Enzo Maresca, it also intensifies the competition for Premier League minutes. Players like Dewsbury-Hall could be pushing for more game time after standout showings. “I pride myself on working as hard as I can daily,” Dewsbury-Hall stated. “Of course, I’d like to play more, but it’s my duty to make sure that every day I’m making the manager have a decision to make.” His drive could soon see him feature more regularly in domestic competitions.
“I feel fit, I feel really strong and fit. I started the season with an injury, but now that’s past me and I feel really fresh, so whenever I’m needed and called upon, I’m going to try and give as best as I can, and that’s hopefully what I did tonight.
“You come through the door and the expectations are through the roof, as they should be playing for a club like Chelsea. Even misplacing a pass in training, the standards are so high, but I love that. And when you’re on the pitch, it’s so nice to play with players that are on your wavelength.
“People like Joao [Felix], like Christo [Christopher Nkunku], Pedro [Neto], they’re top players, and that’s who you want to play with because that’s how you thrive and improve. Since the first day I came into the club, it’s about learning and evolving, and that’s literally what I’m here for.”
Maresca and Dewsbury-Hall formed a strong partnership last season at Leicester, where they achieved Championship glory. Dewsbury-Hall had an outstanding campaign, contributing significantly to the team’s success with 12 goals and 14 assists, helping secure their promotion back to the Premier League. The midfielder’s ability to influence games under Maresca’s guidance was pivotal in their promotion push, showcasing his creative prowess and leadership.
“He’s a breath of fresh air,” Dewsbury-Hall said about the Italian. “From the moment I started working with him a year ago, his deep understanding of the game immediately struck me. His immense knowledge, combined with the passion he brings to everything he does, made a lasting impact. His enthusiasm was contagious, and it truly motivated everyone around him.
“Ever since he came to Chelsea, the lads are coming up to me and are just so impressed with the way he works. I think you can see the lads are buying into it, it’s a fantastic style of football and I think any player wants to play the way we want to play.
“I’m really happy that everyone’s working together and we’re getting results. We’re only just scratching the surface, so let’s see what happens three, six months, a year from now.“