Chelsea under pressure as recent form raises doubts about Maresca’s tactics.
Image credit: LDN
Enzo Maresca’s first season as Chelsea’s head coach began with optimism as the team exceeded expectations in terms of performance and results.
But, as Chelsea heads into their upcoming match against West Ham on February 3, the club’s recent form has raised serious questions about their progress under the Italian manager.
In the lead-up to Chelsea’s clash with Manchester City, Maresca proudly stated that his team was ahead of his initial expectations, especially when it came to their style of play and early-season results.
However, the performance at the Etihad told a different story. Manchester City, despite their own struggles, handed Chelsea another loss—further complicating the Blues’ season.
A slump of just one win in their last seven Premier League matches has left them in sixth place, 13 points adrift of Liverpool, who have a game in hand.
Maresca’s confidence in his team is difficult to reconcile with Chelsea’s recent downturn. After an impressive start to the season, which saw them in a title challenge just a few weeks ago, Chelsea’s form has drastically dipped.
Once contenders for a Champions League spot, the Blues are now out of the qualification race and even fell short in a recent defeat against City.
But where did things go wrong for Chelsea under Maresca’s reign?
Their difficulties in attack have been particularly concerning, while their poor record against top-half teams in the Premier League has further exposed their weaknesses.
The team has managed only one point in four games against Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City, which has led to skepticism over whether they truly are improving.
When it comes to Maresca’s standout results, there is little to suggest Chelsea is back among the elite clubs.
A 4-3 comeback win against Tottenham, who have had a rough season, and a few solid victories over mid-table teams like Newcastle and Aston Villa, aren’t enough to counterbalance the fact that Chelsea is struggling to compete at the top level.
The comparisons with Maresca’s predecessor, Mauricio Pochettino, are inescapable.
After a rocky start under Pochettino, the team enjoyed a solid finish last season, securing a sixth-place spot.
Under Maresca, Chelsea has posted fewer points and scored fewer goals in the Premier League, though the expected goals data suggests a slightly better overall performance.
Maresca’s decision to place his trust in goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has also been questioned.
Sanchez has looked vulnerable in goal.
Image credit: Manchester City
The Spaniard’s shaky form, including a costly error against City, has left Chelsea fans unconvinced, and Maresca has admitted that Sanchez must improve.
The head coach has also been criticized for his reluctance to use some of Chelsea’s key summer signings, such as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Joao Felix, who have had limited Premier League minutes.
As Chelsea prepares to face West Ham, Maresca will also encounter a familiar face in Hammers manager Graham Potter, whose own managerial career has seen its share of highs and lows.
Like Maresca, Potter had a promising start at Chelsea only for his fortunes to change rapidly. The return to Stamford Bridge will serve as a reminder of how quickly things can change for both managers.
Chelsea’s 2025 campaign may be far from the dream start that Maresca envisioned, and the pressure is mounting to restore the team to their former glory.
With key decisions still in the air, the upcoming match against West Ham may mark a crucial point in Maresca’s tenure at the helm.