Paul Merson wants to see Enzo Maresca do one thing with Chelsea’s wingers in the upcoming matches.
Enzo Maresca, who’s in his first season as the Chelsea manager, is still fighting to make it a successful debut year. His side are fifth in the Premier League table as they fight for Champions League qualification, plus they’re competing in the Conference League knockout rounds.
Even though the campaign hangs in the balance, Maresca is trusted by everyone at Chelsea, including the owners and the players.
Chelsea’s players are very happy with Maresca’s tactics despite the team’s up and down form in 2025.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Paul Merson demands Enzo Maresca sticks to same two wingers
Ahead of Chelsea’s league match at home to Leicester City on Sunday, Paul Merson has urged Maresca to start picking the same two wingers for a run of matches.
Merson told Sportskeeda: “There has also been a lot of chopping and changing when it comes to the front-three at Chelsea. Enzo Maresca should stick to two wingers and give them a consistent run of games to find success.”
In fairness, Maresca has rotated and changed a lot with his team selection at Stamford Bridge.
In terms of the wide roles, we’ve seen a lot of frequent alterations. It doesn’t help that winger Pedro Neto is currently covering as an emergency striker, too.
Fixture Starting left-winger Starting right-winger
Copenhagen 1-2 Chelsea Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall Tyrique George
Chelsea 4-0 Southampton Christopher Nkunku Jadon Sancho
Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea Christopher Nkunku Cole Palmer
Brighton 3-0 Chelsea Pedro Neto Noni Madueke
Brighton 2-1 Chelsea Jadon Sancho Pedro Neto
Chelsea’s previous five games across all competitions
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As you can see above, Maresca has been a bit all over the place when selecting his wingers in the last month. We agree that a bit of consistency in the starting XI would be helpful.
Noni Madueke is still out injured for Chelsea, while Mykhailo Mudryk remains unavailable. That leaves the likes of Christopher Nkunku, Jadon Sancho, Pedro Neto and Tyrique George trying to force their way into the line-up.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Pedro Neto should be in Enzo Maresca’s best XI
It’s Maresca’s job to try and find a settled team moving forward, but we hope that any attack does include Neto.
On his day, Neto would be our pick for the best out-and-out winger at the club. It’s an added bonus that he’s impressed in the last couple of appearances when covering as the centre-forward.
Appearances Goals Assists
31 5 7
Pedro Neto during his debut Chelsea season so far
Fans have only seen a glimpse of Neto at his very best since he joined last summer from Wolverhampton Wanderers, but hopefully he’s starting to click into gear now.
Speaking in February, Neto criticised his Chelsea form by claiming that he’s still nowhere near his best level yet. The evidence is there from the 24-year-old speedster’s career that his potential is extraordinary and he’s got so much talent on the ball.
It would be great to see Neto cement a spot in the XI, whether that’s on the left or right wing, alongside ever-present Cole Palmer in a settled attack.