Madueke and Palmer show there is hope for Chelsea project

Chelsea's business planning and human resource practices may confound all but their blue-sky thinkers, but that does not preclude them providing great entertainment.

- John Brewin

Here was a red-letter day for the laptop gurus who have constructed their squad.

Amid that stockpiling of 191 years of contracts across 42 players, genuine, high-class talent abounds. Cole Palmer, with a goal and three assists, a key role in all six goals, grabbed by the scruff of its neck a game that had threatened to get away from Chelsea in the first half.

In the second half, with four unanswered goals, Wolves were cut to ribbons, Chelsea attackers visibly enjoying themselves as they feasted on an opposition side who look a far lesser proposition than last season.

Noni Madueke was booed from his first kick for his late-night Instagram travel guide to Wolverhampton "Every thing about this place is shit" - and responded with a 14-minute hat-trick, each laid on by Palmer. In celebrating his third, Madueke hailed Palmer. "He is cold and I am fire, so it mixes well," he said. "He has the ability to always play a pass at the right time."

There was time for diplomacy, too, for the burghers of Wolverhampton. "I'm sure Wolverhampton is a lovely town, I'm sorry," he said. For this day at least, Chelsea could celebrate being a living, breathing football team rather than the trading platform they are derided as, their new manager delighted by his side's play.