Chelsea’s start to the new season has left plenty of fans frustrated, but club bosses are not hitting the panic button just yet.
Manager Enzo Maresca, who guided the Blues to UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup glory last season, has found himself under heavy scrutiny after a string of disappointing results. Chelsea haven’t celebrated a Premier League victory since August, suffering back-to-back defeats against Manchester United and Brighton, and also falling short against Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
The Brighton defeat especially raised eyebrows, with co-owner Behdad Eghbali, sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, and other club executives present at Stamford Bridge. The game unraveled after Trevoh Chalobah’s red card, allowing Brighton to storm back with goals from Danny Welbeck (2) and Maxim De Cuyper.
Maresca’s tactical approach with 10 men has been a sticking point in consecutive games, but reports from The Telegraph suggest that Chelsea’s hierarchy remain calm. They are confident the squad can still achieve their season goals: finishing in the top four and pushing deep into cup competitions.
For his part, Maresca was blunt after the Brighton defeat: “You cannot continue to give away presents in the Premier League. Red cards are a big mistake because they change everything. We need to learn, and we need to learn quickly.”
While pressure grows from the stands, the club insists Maresca’s job is safe until at least the end of the season. With just four league defeats since February’s end, the belief is still there — but results will need to turn quickly to keep confidence intact.
Chelsea fans, do you think Maresca is the right man for the job, or should the board act sooner?
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