Chelsea secured a fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season, clinching a return to the Champions League.
Under Enzo Maresca, the Blues had a mixed campaign, starting strongly before losing momentum in the second half of the season.
While they ultimately achieved their top-four goal, their performances down the stretch were far from convincing.
Following their recent 3-1 defeat to Flamengo in the Club World Cup, ESPN pundit Craig Burley has voiced concerns about Chelsea’s prospects heading into the new season.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca reacts after team's defeat to Flamengo
Photo by Carl Recine – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Craig Burley makes worrying Chelsea prediction
Burley was critical of Chelsea and questioned whether signing a young forward like Liam Delap was the right decision, drawing comparison with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Man United, all of whom are targeting elite strikers.
He warned that Maresca could face serious challenges if the squad doesn’t significantly improve and noted that missing out on a top-four finish next campaign would not be surprising.
Reacting to the London club’s defeat on ESPN, Burley stated: “I played with Liam’s dad, Rory and Liam Delap is a good player, and my God he’s got the heart of a lion and he’s physical, but he was at Man City, and that’s where Enzo Maresca knows him from as a kid.
“He did great at Ipswich, but this is a huge step. And when we talk about the elite-level teams in England needing to go to the next level, they’re all looking for these strikers, Man United, even Liverpool, Arsenal, they’re all looking for elite strikers that are game changers, that are job savers. And you know, I just don’t think Liam Delap is going to be that for him (Enzo).
“And if I’m a Chelsea fan, I have as much trepidation about next season as I had about last. There’s nothing that has convinced me that it’s going to be any more consistent there. There’s nothing that convinced me that they’re going to take a step forward.
“Liverpool, how do you take a step forward? You go out and you make a statement, and you sign one of the most creative players in world football. That’s a statement. Arsenal need to make a statement.
“And I feel Chelsea have not, and that would be a concern for Enzo Maresca, and quite frankly, if they fell out of the top four next year, I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Enzo Maresca has done a decent job at Chelsea so far
Despite Burley’s concerns, the Italian has done a decent job at Chelsea, considering the young team he is working with.
The Chelsea project is a long-term one, and Maresca did a decent job on his debut season by not only finishing top four but also winning a major trophy, the Europa Conference League.
Still, the recent Club World Cup defeat serves as a clear warning. Chelsea lack leaders in the team, as rightly pointed out by Mikel John Obi.
Maresca and his squad will need to raise their level both on the pitch and in the transfer market ahead of the new season.