Maresca Maintains Support from Board at Chelsea
An Anticipated Week for Chelsea
Chelsea is set for a busy week ahead. The iconic Jose Mourinho is returning to West London with his current team, Benfica, for a Champions League clash on Tuesday. Following that, the defending Premier League champions, Liverpool, will visit on Saturday.
For Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, this isn’t exactly the ideal scenario, especially after securing just one victory in their last five matches, with that win coming against League One side Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup.
Recently, the public perception of Maresca’s job security has shifted. Initially, he seemed to have one of the most stable positions in English football ahead of the new season. After all, he had guided Chelsea to a top-four finish last season, securing their spot back in the Champions League, and orchestrated their historic win at the FIFA Club World Cup, marking a significant achievement in its revamped format.
However, despite these considerable accomplishments, scrutiny has surfaced regarding Maresca’s future following a shaky start to the current season. Chelsea currently sits in eighth place, seven points adrift of Liverpool at the top.
Nevertheless, sources from the club have indicated no major concerns at Stamford Bridge about their slow start, affirming that Maresca still retains the full trust of the management as they approach this pivotal week.
Plan to Evaluate Maresca by Season’s End
Internally at Chelsea, it’s believed that the backlash regarding their slow start has been somewhat exaggerated. There’s an understanding that fluctuations are likely this season, particularly due to a disrupted pre-season caused by their participation in the Club World Cup and the added pressure of competing in the Champions League.
While defeats against Manchester United and Brighton have been disappointing, Chelsea is taking a comprehensive view of the situation. They have lost just five times since May, out of which four defeats came when the team was reduced to ten men.
Additionally, the club stuck by Maresca last season even when they faced a winter slump, where their tally showed only three wins from 12 games, one being against Morecambe in the FA Cup.
The objective is to assess Maresca’s performance at season’s end, aiming for a top-four finish in the league and strong runs in the cup competitions for the manager, who is 45 years old.
That said, there is a growing sentiment that the current squad is stronger than it was last season, which could heighten expectations for Maresca’s tenure. Nonetheless, there is a broad agreement among key personnel that evaluating the campaign should involve a complete perspective.
Injuries, especially given Chelsea’s Champions League commitments, are anticipated to be a significant challenge this season. The proactive recruitment during the summer aimed to give Maresca the necessary resources to manage player rotation amid a heavier workload.
The question remains if the board will continue to lend support should he be unable to enhance their early-season performance. However, as they brace for a crucial week ahead, the club’s critical decision-makers are firmly behind their manager.