Chelsea's Struggles Deepen as Enzo Maresca Faces Mounting Challenges
Chelsea's 3-1 defeat to Manchester City highlighted regression under Enzo Maresca, exposing tactical and personnel issues that need urgent resolution to revive their season.
Original Source
The Athletic
Written by
Craig 'Tosh' McKinnon
Chelsea's defeat at the Etihad Stadium marked a concerning turn in their season, with Maresca's claims of progress undermined by lackluster performances and mounting tactical vulnerabilities. Despite an early lead, the team's intensity waned, allowing a weakened Manchester City side to dominate. Key issues, including a high defensive line without pressure, recurring goalkeeping errors, and a lack of sustained attacking coherence, now cast doubt on Chelsea's ability to secure a top-four finish.
- Early Promise, Rapid Decline:
- Chelsea started brightly with a third-minute goal but lost momentum as City's experienced midfield dictated play.
- The high defensive line, combined with minimal pressing, left Chelsea vulnerable to City's counter-attacks.
- Tactical and Leadership Concerns:
- Maresca's reluctance to adapt during games is leaving Chelsea exposed, with momentum often shifting against them early.
- Recent performances reflect a lack of tactical coherence compared to last season under Mauricio Pochettino.
- Goalkeeping Crisis:
- Robert Sanchez's errors, including a costly mistake for Erling Haaland's goal, are eroding team confidence.
- Despite public support from Maresca, Sanchez’s struggles highlight questionable squad-building decisions regarding goalkeeping depth.
- Broader Regression:
- Chelsea have gone from second in the league to sixth, with only one win in their last seven Premier League matches.
- The team’s attacking energy dissipates too quickly, as seen in their inability to sustain pressure after taking early leads.
- Challenges Ahead:
- Maresca faces a critical period to resolve tactical flaws, address Sanchez’s form, and reignite the team’s intensity.
- Failure to find solutions could jeopardize Chelsea’s ambitions for Champions League qualification.
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Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images
Written by
Craig 'Tosh' McKinnon
Co-founder of The1905Club. A life long Chelsea fan and season ticket holder for over twenty years. Now residing in Poland, this doesn't stop Tosh from watching every minute of every game.
