Enzo Maresca’s reluctance to acknowledge Chelsea as title contenders earlier this season now seems justified, but predicting a downturn is not the same as preventing one. The pressure is mounting as Chelsea’s form declines, with fans questioning Maresca’s tactical approach and decision-making. His response to Chelsea’s FA Cup exit against Brighton suggesting it could help them focus on the league and Conference League was ill-timed. Supporters, frustrated by the team’s inconsistency, were never going to accept a relaxed attitude toward another missed opportunity for silverware.
The team’s struggles since Christmas have exposed issues in squad planning, and the winter transfer window only fueled concerns. Maresca described it as a “disaster,” and the situation has worsened with Nicolas Jackson’s hamstring injury ruling him out until April. Jackson, a crucial part of Chelsea’s system despite his goal drought, should have been substituted sooner against West Ham when he first felt discomfort. Instead, he played on until the 50th minute, potentially worsening the injury. With Marc Guiu also sidelined, Chelsea now lack a natural striker, forcing Maresca to explore alternatives such as Christopher Nkunku or using Cole Palmer in a false nine role.
The decision not to reinforce the attack in January now looks risky. Mykhailo Mudryk’s suspension and João Félix’s loan move to Milan left Chelsea light up front. There were financial reasons for avoiding a short-term fix, but squad depth has become an issue. Jackson’s absence puts more strain on the attack, with Chelsea needing to find solutions quickly to maintain their push for Champions League qualification.
Beyond injuries, recruitment choices remain a talking point. The decision to sign Félix, only for him to barely feature before leaving, raises questions. If Palmer was always going to be the main creative force, why bring in Félix at all? Maresca insists he supported the move, but his reasoning appears flawed. Similarly, the recall of Trevoh Chalobah from loan at Crystal Palace due to mild injury concerns felt inconsistent with long-term planning.
Moisés Caicedo is under growing pressure in midfield, with Chelsea struggling to control games in Roméo Lavia’s absence. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s summer signing remains puzzling, while Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho have yet to make a real impact. Chelsea’s positional play, heavily influenced by Maresca’s tactical philosophy, seems rigid. The full-backs invert rather than overlap, crowding the middle, while wingers often find themselves isolated. Guardiola’s recent shift towards a more aggressive style of play raises the question of whether Chelsea are becoming too predictable under Maresca.
A response is needed against Brighton. Maresca’s insistence in December that Chelsea were not in the title race may have subconsciously lowered expectations within the squad. His approach to media handling contrasts with managers like José Mourinho, who viewed press conferences as an extension of the game itself. If Chelsea are to avoid a repeat of the late-season wobble that nearly derailed Maresca’s promotion campaign with Leicester, they must rediscover their early-season dynamism and urgency. Settling for second best is never an option at a club with Chelsea’s ambitions.
