Former Chelsea defenders John Terry and William Gallas have voiced their concerns about Enzo Maresca’s tactical approach, with Gallas slamming it as outdated and Terry questioning the obsession with possession football.
William Gallas has heavily criticised Maresca’s tactical setup, describing it as “like being back in 1980” and calling Chelsea’s man-to-man marking system outdated and boring. He particularly disliked Reece James’ deployment in midfield during the recent 1-0 defeat to Arsenal. John Terry, while not naming Maresca directly, also took aim at modern football’s focus on possession-based tactics, arguing that teams are too obsessed with playing out from the back, leading to slower, less entertaining football.
Journalist Simon Phillips believes Chelsea's early-season form was better because they played a more open, attacking style, rather than the slower, more methodical football Maresca has implemented. While not outright calling for Maresca to be sacked, Phillips questions whether Chelsea have hired the right manager for the squad they have built and whether possession-based football is starting to fade in effectiveness.
