Chelsea director Jonathan Goldstein has thrown his full support behind Enzo Maresca, stating that the Italian manager will “100 per cent” remain in charge for the rest of the season.
Maresca’s tenure at Stamford Bridge started brightly, but Chelsea’s form has dipped alarmingly since the turn of the year.
With just three wins in their last 11 games across all competitions, the Blues have tumbled down to sixth place in the Premier League, now trailing leaders Liverpool by 18 points.
Their latest setback a crushing 3-0 defeat to Brighton dealt another blow to confidence within the squad. However, a victory over Aston Villa this weekend could see Chelsea claw their way back into the top four.
Earlier in the season, Chelsea’s strong performances sparked optimism among fans and pundits, with some even considering them potential title contenders.
Despite Maresca downplaying such claims, the pressure has mounted following their recent struggles.
Despite this, reports from The Athletic suggest that Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly remains satisfied with the team’s progress. Goldstein echoed this sentiment, backing Maresca to lead the club forward.
“He’s doing a great job,” Goldstein said on Bloomberg TV, where he appeared in his role as head of real estate investment firm Cain International. “Chelsea started the season very well. The last six weeks have been about finding their feet a little bit more.
“But Enzo has done a fantastic job uniting the squad and bringing talent through. We’re very optimistic about the remainder of the season.”
When asked if Maresca would still be Chelsea’s manager by the summer, Goldstein confidently responded: “100 per cent.”
Maresca signed a five-year contract with Chelsea last summer, with an option for a further year, tying him to the club until 2029.
Former Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell believes that, despite recent struggles, Maresca has overachieved in his first season. He insists that securing Champions League qualification should be viewed as a significant success.
“They are in a project, and they’ve exceeded expectations this year,” Sidwell said on The Dressing Room Podcast. “When they climbed to second in the Premier League and were just two points behind Liverpool, it wasn’t a true reflection of where they were. Since Maresca pointed that out, things have gone the other way.
“But we have to remember it’s a long-term project. If they secure a top-four or even a top-five finish—which now gets you into the Champions League—it would be a fantastic achievement and a solid foundation to build upon.”
Sidwell also challenged players like Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke, and Christopher Nkunku to step up, especially with Nicolas Jackson sidelined due to injury.
“Up until Christmas, when Chelsea were playing well, everything seemed fine. But once they hit a rough patch, it became clear that nobody was stepping up to rally the team,” Sidwell added.
“That’s reflected in their performances. Their first and second halves have been like night and day in terms of scoring and conceding goals.
“There are plenty of factors at play. Their defense has been inconsistent due to injuries, and they’ve been overly reliant on Cole Palmer. Players like Sancho, Madueke, and Nkunku—though he hasn’t had a proper run need to step up and take responsibility.”