Chelsea remain confident in Enzo Maresca’s leadership despite their ongoing struggles, with the club backing him even after what was labeled their worst performance of the season.
Just two months ago, Chelsea were in a strong position, with a chance to top the Premier League if they had beaten Everton. However, that opportunity slipped away in a goalless draw, and since then, their form has declined.
The team has won just three of their last eight league matches, falling to sixth in the standings and one point outside the Champions League qualification spots.
Their recent elimination from the FA Cup at the hands of Brighton only added to their woes, and a follow-up league defeat to the same opponent exposed their weaknesses even further.
Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh put Brighton in control by halftime, before Minteh added another to seal a convincing 3-0 win.
Maresca admitted the performance was unacceptable, saying, “Since I arrived, this is probably the worst we’ve played, especially given the position we were in.
We had a chance to close the gap on third place, but the performance wasn’t at the level we needed. We are upset and sorry for our fans.”
Supporters were vocal in their frustration, with some calling for the return of former owner Roman Abramovich while others left early as Brighton’s dominance became evident.
Despite growing pressure, reports suggest Chelsea’s hierarchy remains supportive of Maresca.
According to The Athletic, the board considers the club ahead of schedule, as the Italian was not expected to secure a Champions League spot until next season.
Injuries to key players like Nicolas Jackson, Romeo Lavia, and Wesley Fofana have also been taken into account when evaluating his performance.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reinforced this stance, stating Chelsea’s leadership is still fully behind Maresca and intends to give him time to restore the club’s status among the elite.
However, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes Chelsea cannot afford to miss out on Champions League football, warning that failure to qualify would be a disaster.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said, “This idea that the project will take three years is unrealistic because top players won’t wait that long.
The frustration is already growing, and someone like Cole Palmer wants to be competing for major titles.”
Carragher also pointed out that Chelsea’s spending has raised expectations, adding, “They’ve spent over a billion pounds, yet they’re behind Nottingham Forest.
They’re playing just once a week. If they don’t make the Champions League, it’s a huge failure.”
As Chelsea look to bounce back, they face a tough test against Aston Villa in their next Premier League fixture, a game that could define their season.