Toothless Chelsea are held to a goalless draw by local rivals Fulham as Todd Boehly's army of January arrivals fail to make an impact at Stamford Bridge... leaving the Blues NINE points behind the top four.

 

Fulham held Chelsea to a goalless draw in a London derby as Chelsea's inconsistent form continued.

In the first half at Stamford Bridge, Kai Havertz hit the post as Chelsea attempted to break through.

Enzo Fernandez and Noni Madueke made their Blues debuts, who are currently ninth in the table.

After authorising two record-breaking spending sprees, the January one pushing the total spend past the $500 million mark, penny for Todd Boehly's full thoughts.

When the Chelsea co-owner, who was watching from Stamford Bridge, flashed up on screen, there was a small indication of the same frustration felt by much of the Stamford Bridge crowd as he slid back into his seat when another chance went begging.

Nights like this were supposed to be a thing of the past, and a Chelsea charge up the table was supposed to begin after their latest massive transfer spend.

Despite having far more to throw at their neighbours than just a few weeks ago, Chelsea couldn't get past Fulham in their first post-window outing.

When they met at Craven Cottage on a dreadful night that summed up Graham Potter's misfortune at the time, loan signing Joao Felix made an impressive debut before being sent off, and Chelsea lost.

During the first half of Chelsea's Premier League match against Fulham, Kai Havertz hit the post with a lofted effort.

Enzo Fernandez made his Blues debut at Stamford Bridge after joining from Benfica for a reported £106 million.

Mykhailo Mudryk, a half-time substitute, competes for possession with Fulham's Bobby Decordova-Reid.

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly oversaw a large spending spree, but the Blues were held scoreless by Fulham.

Felix was unavailable for Friday night's return West London derby because he was serving the final game of his suspension.

But there were plenty of new faces for Chelsea. They began with £107 million British record holder Enzo Fernandez, £88 million Mykhailo Mudryk, and £35 million Benoit Badiashile.

Fellow newcomers Noni Madueke (£31 million) and David Datro Fofana (£8 million) came off the bench.

None of the five players appeared in the first game between the two teams. Nonetheless, Chelsea were unable to break down Marco Silva's impressive Fulham team, with pre-match optimism replaced by jeers at full-time as Chelsea were held.

'New players are adjusting to a new country and league,' Potter said. It's not that simple. When the price is as high as it is, questions will be raised.'

Fulham are still the best team in these parts, and they played with the confidence that comes with that. This was not a lucky point, and they have now defeated Chelsea four times this season.

Meanwhile, the 'what a waste of money' taunts from the away end became almost unavoidable as this goalless draw dragged on.

Concerns about Chelsea's lack of firepower will also be raised.

Noni Madueke, who joined Chelsea from PSV, made his debut for the Blues in the second half.

Chelsea manager Graham Potter was even more frustrated as his team's inconsistent form continued.

'I don't think it will be difficult because Pierre is a professional,' Chelsea's head coach said of the surprise decision. I'm sure he'll be disappointed. It was a difficult choice. He has done nothing wrong. He was unlucky and will have to fight for his spot for the rest of the season.'

Aubameyang was also notably absent from the Chelsea squad last night, having been granted a weekend off and photographed in Milan. He didn't miss much if he swerved while watching the stalemate in Italy.

Following that major talking point earlier in the day, the focus shifted to who made Potter's team against Fulham.

Fernandez's work permit arrived in time for the game, and he was given a full debut alongside Mudryk after an encouraging cameo off the bench against Liverpool.

Fit-again Reece James felt like a new signing as well, and seeing him back in the side and Ben Chilwell on the bench after injuries that have hampered Chelsea's progress was just as satisfying.

Hakim Ziyech was also in right away, despite being on the verge of a move to Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day, which he was disappointed to see fall through.

The atmosphere at Stamford Bridge was electric, and Fernandez, who started at the base of Chelsea's midfield, did not disappoint, especially in the first half.

He had an uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time when the ball went loose, was eager to put his foot in, rarely losing any of the many challenges he went into, took responsibility for getting Chelsea going, and passed impressively, both long and short and at times with real intent.

David Datro Fofana, who came on as a substitute, came close to scoring but was denied by a block.

During the second half, Fulham winger Willian attempts to win the ball from his former Chelsea teammate Cesar Azpiliceuta.

Hakim Ziyech, who was on the verge of leaving Chelsea for PSG in January, takes on Fulham's Joao Palhinha.

He contributed to a fast-paced first half that saw few shots on goal until Andreas Pereira unleashed a volley that Kepa Arrizabalaga saved.

Kai Havertz and Ziyech sliced wide for Chelsea before Havertz lobbed another attempt against the post just before halftime.

Mudryk was replaced by Madueke at half-time due to the combined effects of a cold and a recent lack of action.

Fulham, however, threatened more with the return of Willian, Bobby De Cordova Reid, Pereira, and Joao Palhinha, while Mitrovic attempted to catch Kepa out from almost halfway.

Then Fofana burst through, skipped past Bernd Leno and Issa Diop, only to be denied on the goalline by Tim Ream, much to Boehly's chagrin but contributing to Fulham's deserved point.

'We went eye to eye with Chelsea in a derby that's really special for our fans,' Silva said. They succeeded. I'm extremely proud of them.'