Enzo Maresca cut a frustrated figure when the 2025/26 season got underway, and former Chelsea player and coach has a theory which could explain the reason behind it.
The boss had very little time to prepare his side for the new campaign, with them returning to pre-season action around two weeks after they triumphed in the Club World Cup.
Just one training session in, Maresca had lost Levi Colwill for the majority of the campaign after he suffered an ACL injury.
The manager publicly called for a new defender, however was told in no uncertain terms to make do with the options he already had at the club, many of whom joined for big transfer fees themselves.
Jody Morris speaks to the media during Chelsea Training Session and Press Conference
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Jody Morris pitches worrying theory about Enzo Maresca as Chelsea manager
Morris has the same opinion to many Chelsea fans that the club should’ve seen this position as a priority to strengthen in, and posed the theory that he wasn’t getting the necessary support from the owners to fulfil his potential.
He told The Sun: “If you spoke to most people regarding Chelsea, those were the positions [centre-back and goalkeeper] that they obviously think maybe looked like needed strengthening more than elsewhere.
“But listen, at the end of the day whether Enzo Maresca felt that they needed changing or whether upstairs didn’t want to come through and support that, who knows?”
Maresca is the first manager to last more than a full season since Todd Boehly and co took over the club, however disagreements like this could cause discontent between two of the most important people at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca holding a press conference at Chelsea's training ground.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea owners softening stance on Maresca demand
Despite being extremely unwilling to enter the market again for a centre-back over the summer, the owners will have seen an injury crisis play out that has also included problems for Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo and Josh Acheampong.
As a result of this, The Chelsea Chronicle understands there is now a willingness to sign a centre-back in January, with the Blues having scouts in attendance to watch a number of targets.
Joel Ordonez has been watched by Chelsea scouts, while the Blues were in attendance to watch Nico Schlotterbeck when Germany beat Northern Ireland on Monday.
The club are building something special with the Italian at the helm, and should look to appease his demands wherever possible so he can continue to take the squad to reach their potential.