As we await Enzo Maresca’s first media appearance after Saturday’s outburst, Alan Shearer has weighed in on the dispute and what it means for Chelsea.
Chelsea are back in action on Tuesday night in a Carabao Cup tie with Cardiff.
That means another press conference in which to find out more about the current state of play at Chelsea.
Before that happens, though, Shearer wants to plant his flag on the side of the Chelsea boss, while also making some rather concerning comments about the ceiling of the Blues.
Enzo Maresca’s explosive ’48 hours’ rant has everyone talking 😶
Who do you think the Chelsea boss was referring to?
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Alan Shearer backs Enzo Maresca amid Chelsea dispute
This all came quite out of the blue. Sure, performances took a dip recently, but the conflict that has broken out would have been difficult to imagine back in July when Maresca was lifting his second trophy of the season.
Football discourse is fast-moving, however, and the Italian has found himself on the receiving end of criticism from inside the club.
Not from Shearer, though, who defends Maresca on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football.
He says: “I think the trophies that he’s won, he’s won two trophies. He’s currently in the top four.
I think that’s probably as good as it’s going to get for Chelsea.
“Now, I know that the fans may say, ‘Well, he tinkers a bit too much and he changes the team too much.’ I get that and I understand that. But the bigger picture, two trophies, top four.”
Reece James and Enzo Maresca celebrating with Club World Cup trophy
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
The rotation issue was a hot topic with Chelsea fans after recent losses, but it’s not something the club had any problem with. In fact, it has been encouraged.
We’re still not exactly sure what the root of the problem is. Shearer is siding with Maresca, regardless, and sets a worryingly low bar for what the Blues can achieve under the current structure.
Shearer’s brutally honest Chelsea take
As well as taking Maresca’s side, Shearer talks about the expectations around Chelsea and why the current coach shouldn’t be scrutinised so heavily.
And it’s down to recruitment.
He explains: “Compare Chelsea now to Chelsea 15 or 20 years ago when Chelsea bought the superstars and had to go and win the Champions League and the league title. It’s highly unlikely that they’re going to do that with the current mode that they’re in.”
Do you think Chelsea can win the Premier League with Enzo Maresca? 👀
If not, who can bring the title back to Stamford Bridge?
Paul Winstanley with Chelsea owner Todd Boehly
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Shearer is talking about the Blues’ preference for young players who they can develop and make a profit on rather than players with experience and superstar status.
He’s not the first to question that strategy and he won’t be the last. It is interesting, though, how volatile the discourse around Chelsea can be.
A couple of wins and the project is finally coming together. Drop a few points and it’s an issue with the structure of the club.
Football moves fast and reactionary takes are commonplace, but perhaps a zoom out is needed.
As Shearer’s co-host Gary Lineker concludes: “I think he’s done a remarkably good job. That is not an easy place to have gone, particularly when he did. They had that huge dressing room. Remember, so many players you’ve got to sort out.
“And he’s he seems to have managed it really well. He’s won trophies. They’re near the top of the table, as you said, with a very young team. I think he deserves enormous credit.”
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox