Enzo Maresca watched Chelsea throw away another lead on Saturday following their 2-1 loss to Aston Villa.
Chelsea went in front in the first half through Joao Pedro, but they failed to capitalise on their goal and dominance.
It allowed Villa to get back into the game, with Ollie Watkins coming off the bench to score his side’s equaliser and winner.
Why aren’t Chelsea killing off games? 👎
Chelsea have dropped 11 points from winning positions in home Premier League matches this season — four more than any other side.
— BBC Sport
Cole Palmer of Chelsea runs with the ball
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Unai Emery has been complimentary of Chelsea, but Maresca has, understandably, been quite critical of his team.
Unai Emery, Manager of Aston Villa, gives instructions to Ollie Watkins
Photo by Marc Atkins – AVFC/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca concerned by Chelsea’s lack of game management
According to Maresca, if Chelsea are winning but then go on to concede, they struggle to control the rest of the game.
“Even if we are winning and concede a goal, we struggle a little with the management of the game,” the 45-year-old was quoted as saying by Chelsea’s official club website. “It’s something we need to improve.
“It’s difficult to analyse because we need to understand why, when we concede a goal, we struggle to manage the game in a better way.”
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“The referee’s call of no penalty to Chelsea was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed that Maatsen’s arm was in a justifiable position.”
Premier League Match Centre on why Chelsea were not awarded a penalty in Aston Villa defeat
Pedro Neto of Chelsea is challenged by Ian Maatsen of Aston Villa
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The Blues’ defeat to Villa is an exact repeat of their 2-1 loss to Atalanta in the Champions League earlier this month.
That night, Pedro also opened the scoring for Chelsea in the first half before Atalanta completed a second-half comeback.
Maresca can be satisfied with Robert Sanchez’s performance, while Reece James also put in another stunning display. But overall, the Italian will not be happy with what he saw from his side.
Enzo Maresca manager / head coach of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Chelsea
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
How Chelsea can improve their game management
Maresca has suggested that a lack of experience in Chelsea’s squad is what could be hindering them.
Because of their transfer strategy, the Chelsea roster has become a very young one. Sanchez and Tosin Adarabioyo are the most seasoned players in the dressing room, with both men being 28.
“It can be experience, or it can be something else, but we need to analyse and understand that,” Maresca said.
Chelsea can obviously use the transfer window to address the issue. Crystal Palace captain, Marc Guehi, will be available on a free transfer next summer, so he could be a great option for the Club World Cup winners.
Guehi is 25 years of age now and has plenty of experience in the Premier League. Looking at some of their collapses this term, Chelsea could definitely do with a player of his profile. If they can re-sign their former academy star, they should.
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