Chelsea closed out 2025 with another dose of Premier League déjà vu, drawing 2-2 at home to Bournemouth and leaving Stamford Bridge in a mood best described as flat as a pancake. The Blues twice led, twice let the Cherries back in, and once again made a struggling opponent look far too comfortable. And if the performance was a collective shrug, two individual displays were loud enough to wake the neighbors: Alejandro Garnacho and Liam Delap. After another stinker, both should be dropped from the starting line-up. No two ways about it.

The game itself had all the hallmarks of Chelsea's recent slump. Bournemouth, winless for two months, made the brighter start and went ahead through David Brooks, who poked home from close range. Cole Palmer levelled from the penalty spot after Estevao Willian was fouled by Antoine Semenyo, and Enzo Fernandez then produced an exquisite finish to put the hosts in front. But Chelsea's lead lasted just four minutes, because Justin Kluivert scored from a long throw, and from there the Blues huffed and puffed without much inspiration. Enzo Maresca made two changes at half-time, Estevao nearly conjured something before the hour mark, and Enes Unal somehow lifted a late Bournemouth chance over the bar from close range. Hoo boy. It was that kind of night.

Garnacho's Concentration Goes on Holiday Again 😬

Garnacho arrived at Chelsea with a reputation for raw talent and a backpack full of questions. Against Aston Villa, he had already taken some scathing criticism from supporters who felt he squandered multiple opportunities, but Maresca persisted with the Argentine against Bournemouth, lining him up on the opposite flank to the highly rated teenager Estevao. If anyone had been asked which winger looked like the Premier League veteran, very few would have picked the former Manchester United man. Estevao was a live wire throughout; Garnacho was clumsy in possession outside of laying the ball back for Fernandez's goal, which is a bit like bringing a soggy sandwich to a picnic and calling it catering.

Worse, his concentration cost Chelsea twice. He lost his man for both Bournemouth goals, and it was not the first time that particular flaw had bitten the Blues, as it also cost them against Brentford earlier in the season. At the other end, his attacking output left a lot to be desired: eight possession losses and zero completed dribbles from three attempts. Maresca had seen enough at half-time and hooked him for Pedro Neto. The jury is still very much out, and right now it is not exactly pulling up trees.

Supporters did not exactly take the news with quiet dignity. One, reacting immediately after Bournemouth's second goal, wrote: 'Garnacho you imbecile you need to concentrate and not lose your man for 10 seconds why is that so hard.' Another simply offered: 'Garnacho is actually garbage man.' A third had already cast a verdict on the summer signing, saying: 'Garnacho top two worst signings ever in Chelsea history.' Ouch. Schoolboy errors will do that.

Delap Looks Like a Ghost in a No. 9 Shirt 👻

Maresca will be equally frustrated with Liam Delap's performance, because the striker barely offered any attacking threat throughout the game. The club thought they were signing an old-fashioned number nine who could link play well and bully defenders with his back to goal. On this evidence, the only thing he bullied was the patience of everyone inside Stamford Bridge. Delap ghosted for much of the tie, and when he did surface, he had a golden chance in the second half: unmarked in the box for a header, he could only direct the ball over the bar. Cue exasperation.

One supporter said: 'I don't see Liam Delap having a long Chelsea career. He just doesn't have it I'm afraid.' Another questioned the point in playing the England under-21 striker at all, asking: 'Can someone explain what Liam Delap brings to the team, Nico [Jackson] lacked finishing but had other skills sets, Liam lacking everything atm.' And another, focusing on both players, wrote: 'I can't watch Garnacho for another five months. Horrendous every single week. Same for Delap.' A final fan added: 'I'm being forced against my will to watch Garnacho and Delap.' Brutal, but hardly unfair on this evidence.

The Numbers Do the Talking 📉

Both summer signings have not really managed to get off the mark, with just three Premier League goal contributions between them, all from Garnacho. For a club that thought it had solved its winger and striker issues, that is not exactly pulling up trees.

Player	Key issue	Evidence	Verdict
Alejandro Garnacho	Concentration and end product	Lost his man for both Bournemouth goals; eight possession losses; zero completed dribbles from three attempts; hooked at half-time	Bench
Liam Delap	No attacking threat	Ghosted for much of the game; missed an unmarked header; zero Premier League goal contributions	Bench

Maresca Must Swing the Axe 🪓

Chelsea endured a slump for most of December, and Maresca is in need of more attacking spark as 2026 gets underway. Pedro Neto is already an option off the bench, and Estevao deserves more trust rather than being asked to carry the creative load alongside a winger who is losing his man every week. Dropping Garnacho and Delap is not a magic wand, but it is a start. Sentiment can take a seat; this is Premier League football, not a charity raffle.

Let us call a spade a spade: Chelsea need players who can concentrate for more than ten seconds and a striker who offers something beyond a polite jog. Garnacho and Delap may yet come good, but the Blues cannot keep waiting for the penny to drop while points disappear down the drain. Bench-warming duty beckons. If Maresca wants a reaction, that is the place to start. 😬