Chelsea keep showing they are all promise and no substance

N ot many visiting players are given a standing ovation at the Bernabéu. Ronaldinho got one after destroying Real Madrid for Barcelona in 2006 and Andrés Iniesta’s greatness was recognised after a stunning performance at the clásico in 2015, so Mykhailo Mudryk can consider himself part of a pretty exclusive crowd.

It was a special moment for the Ukraine winger. He was a relative unknown at Shakhtar Donetsk when they visited the Bernabéu in November 2021, but he destroyed Dani Carvajal. It finished 2-1 to Madrid, Karim Benzema scoring twice, but that was by the by. All eyes were on Mudryk, who had the home fans on their feet when replaced with 19 minutes left.

Those supporters must have been wondering what on earth has happened to Mudryk when Chelsea visited for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday. Carvajal did not have to worry about marking him this time. Madrid did not have to worry about very much at all. It took them 22 minutes to make a mockery of Todd Boehly’s prediction – 3-0 to Chelsea – and they were not required to hit the heights to secure a comfortable 2-0 win.

There had been an early flurry from Chelsea, fleeting drive from N’Golo Kanté in midfield, but Madrid quickly worked it out. Benzema opened the scoring, Ben Chilwell got sent off while trying to cover for Marc Cucurella losing Rodrygo, and Marco Asensio made it 2-0 with his first touch.

Madrid cruised. It was too easy at times and although it is tempting to wonder whether Real will regret not establishing a bigger lead the prospect of a comeback feels slim given Chelsea have scored three times in a game on three occasions this season.

Their attack is a confused, misshapen thing. They have spent a lot of money on it,