Former England striker Ian Wright has criticised Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca for publicly downplaying the team’s Premier League title credentials earlier this season. Despite a strong start, where Chelsea emerged as surprise contenders, Maresca repeatedly stated that his team was not ready to compete with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City. Wright argued that these remarks undermined the players’ confidence and inadvertently provided an excuse for their subsequent poor performances. Chelsea's form has dipped drastically, with the team now sitting sixth in the league after a series of disappointing results. Wright suggested Maresca’s comments should have been kept private, as they contributed to the team’s loss of momentum after their early successes.