For all the ridicule of Chelsea’s recruitment strategy, they love a steal as much as the next club, and there was smug satisfaction inside of Stamford Bridge last night at seeing £12million Renato Veiga boss this Conference League victory from left back.
One of 11 changes made by Enzo Maresca, who yet again leaned on his squad depth, Veiga opened the scoring in what was the club’s 300th European outing in their history.
The 21-year-old Portuguese was the best performer in this Chelsea B team, assisting Christopher Nkunku so he could mark his France call-up yesterday with a goal.
Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also got on the scoresheet as the Blues kickstarted the league phase with a win.
Chelsea fans in attendance noticed a familiar surname up front for Gent in Andri Gudjohnsen, son of Eidur.
There was smug satisfaction inside of Stamford Bridge last night at seeing £12million Renato Veiga boss this Conference League victory from left back
Neto collected it, avoiding challenges from Brown and Tsuyoshi Watanabe before beating Davy Roef
One of 11 changes made by Enzo Maresca , who yet again leaned on his squad depth, Veiga opened the scoring in what was the club’s 300th European outing in their history
The 22-year-old striker was born in London on January 29, 2002 and it was at Stamford Bridge the following day that his famous father scored within two minutes of a 2-0 Premier League win over Leeds.
Yet he was a bystander as Chelsea took the lead after 12 minutes.
That opener was nicely worked, starting with Axel Disasi winning possession high up the pitch. Dewsbury-Hall then played a pass in behind for Mykhailo Mudryk, whose cross to the back post was perfect for Veiga to head into the opposite corner.
Other chances for Joao Felix and Nkunku were beaten away by the visitors, who then decided to try attacking themselves.
Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, standing in for Robert Sanchez, made his first save in the 33rd minute to deny Birmingham-born Archie Brown. In the 34th, Gudjohnsen narrowly fired over from six yards.
Suddenly, Gent’s tactical approach was not looking as questionable as their 45-year-old manager Wouter Vrancken’s decision to wear skinny jeans on the sidelines.
But within 50 seconds of the second half, they found themselves trailing 2-0 after a long ball from Disasi. Neto collected it, avoiding challenges from Brown and Tsuyoshi Watanabe before beating Davy Roef.
Gent did not give up, however, with Watanabe staying onside to head home for 2-1 in the 50th minute
n the 62nd minute, Veiga used his strength in the box before teeing up Nkunku to blast a shot beneath Roef
In the 70th, it became 4-1 with Dewsbury-Hall pouncing on a loose ball
Gent did not give up, however, with Watanabe staying onside to head home for 2-1 in the 50th minute after lackadaisical defending from Tosin Adarabioyo.
In the 62nd minute, Veiga used his strength in the box before teeing up Nkunku to blast a shot beneath Roef.
In the 70th, it became 4-1 with Dewsbury-Hall pouncing on a loose ball as Maresca yet again won after making 11 changes, just like in the Carabao Cup.