The 18th round of the 2023-24 Premier League season kicks off at 21:00 Beijing time on December 24, and Wolves will face Chelsea. Chelsea have been the team that has invested the most money and brought in the most top players in the Premier League's big6 since last season, but despite this, their record remains in the middle of the Premier League. Meanwhile, despite their modest performance in the Premier League, Wolves have often caused problems for the BIG6 and have managed to beat Manchester City and Tottenham this season. According to the pre-match standings, Chelsea have won 6, drawn 4 and lost 7 in 17 games, and are in 10th place with 22 points. This ranking is not new to them, as they can often be seen during the trough.
Wolves, on the other hand, have 17 games, 5 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses, ranking 14th with 19 points. In the game, Chelsea used a 4231 formation, with Armando Broja as the central striker, Raheem Sterling, Jackson and Palmer up front, Conor Gallagher and Hugo Chuku as the double midfielders, Colwill, Thiago Silva, Disasi and Gusto as a back four, and goalkeeper Petrovic Petrovic. The entire starting lineup is worth a whopping 3500 million euros. Nkunku, who has recovered from injury, and last season's Bundesliga Golden Boot were not included in the starting line-up. Compared to Chelsea in the Abubou and Boehly eras, the faces in the starting line-up were mostly unfamiliar. This lack of heritage will undoubtedly have an impact on the team's results, but it is not surprising as time is the only factor that can make a difference.
Wolves started in a 3,421 formation, with Cunha as a central striker, Saravia and Hwang Hee-chan on the wings, Ait Noori, Gomez, Lemina and Semedo in midfield, Toddy, Dawson and Kilman as a central defender, and goalkeeper Jose Sa. The entire starting lineup is worth 2100 million euros. Like Son Heung-min, Hwang Hee-chan is now Wolves' number one star and is a South Korean foreign player. After the game started, the two sides went back and forth. In the 5th minute, Armando Broja picked up the ball on the right side of the penalty area, but was tackled by Lemina. In the 6th minute, Hwang Hee-chan fouled and knocked Disasi away. In the 8th minute, Raheem Sterling went through, but Jackson couldn't take his chance. In the 21st minute, Raheem Sterling crossed and Jackson failed to control the ball and missed a good chance.
In the 27th minute, Lemina was booked for a tackle on Raheem Sterling in front of the penalty area, and Chelsea were awarded a free-kick in front, but Sterling's effort flew over the crossbar. In the 30th minute, Conor Gallagher brought down Nuri in front of the penalty area and also received a yellow card, Wolves won a free kick in front, and Saravia's penalty was blocked by the wall. Chelsea have struggled against Wolves. In the 32nd minute, Raheem Sterling made a successful tackle up front and then set up a one-on-one chance, but he opted to shoot straight at goal, only to be denied by the goalkeeper. In the 51st minute, Wolves won a corner on the right side, Saravia crossed, and Lemina headed home to help Wolves lead Chelsea 1-0.
Then, in the 58th minute, Ugochukwuku was substituted due to injury and Nkunku came off the bench to make his Chelsea debut. In the 63rd minute, Nkunku burst into the box after stopping the ball, but his shot was cleared by goalkeeper Todi on the goal line. In stoppage time, Bueno's brilliant pass caused Badiashile to miss the ball and Doherty seized the opportunity to follow up and score to extend Wolves' lead to 2-0 over Chelsea. Raheem Sterling then headed in a cross from near the baseline on the right and Nkunku headed home in front of goal to pull one back for Chelsea, but Chelsea were beaten 2-1 to Wolves. It is worth mentioning that substitute Nkunku also scored his first Chelsea goal in this game.
Chelsea's form in the Premier League shows no signs of improving, with just 22 points from 18 games and sitting 10th in the table.