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Chelsea
By Barnaby Lane
Posted on 15 May 2025, 18:14
Chelsea make decision on future of head coach Enzo Maresca - Chelsea
Enzo Maresca. (Michael Regan/Getty Images)
ChelseahavehadamixeddebutseasonunderEnzoMaresca.WhilestillincontentionforChampionsLeaguequalificationandwithaEuropaConferenceLeaguefinalagainstRealBetisonMay28,theoverallcampaignhasbeeninconsistent.FanshaveexpressedfrustrationoverMaresca’sflatstyleofplay,questionablesquadselections,andhisinabilitytomaximizethetalentofkeyplayerslikeColePalmer.
Oneofthemaincriticismshasbeenhiserraticuseofpersonnel.MarescahasplayedcaptainReeceJamesinmidfield,usedPedroNetoasastriker,shuffledMoisesCaicedo – voted the club’s Player of the Season –betweenmidfieldandright-back,andhasyettosettleonaconsistentbackline—despitenearlyafullseasonincharge.
Injurieshavecontributedtotheinstability,butMaresca’sdecisionshavestillraisedeyebrows.FormerPremierLeaguestrikerIanWright,speakingonTheKellyandWrightyShow onOptus Sport,describeditas “crazylistingwhohehasonthebenchandwhyhe’sdoingthat.”HequestionedMaresca’stacticalexplanations,saying, “Whateverhe’ssayingaboutgettingintothemidfieldandcontrolling,you’vegottogetcontrolofthegame!”
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Wrightalsotookissuewiththelackofleadershipinthesquad,addingthattherewasn’t “enoughexperienceinthesidetogoawayandhaveaplayerplayatrightback [outofposition].”HeultimatelylaidtheblamewithMaresca,saying, “Itallcomesdowntothemanager,unlesssomething’shappenedwithReeceJamesandGusto.Idon’tknowwhat’shappened,butthatformeisunacceptable.”
ChelseaCommittedtotheLongTerm
Soccer coach.
Maresca’s job is safe. (Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
Despitegrowingdiscontentamongfansandmedia,itappearsChelsea’shierarchyarebackingMarescaforthelonghaul.AccordingtoBBCSport‘sNizaar Kinsella,theclubhasdecidedtoretaintheItalianbeyondthisseason,regardlessofwhethertheyqualifyfortheChampionsLeague.
Kinsellareportsthatco-sportingdirectorsPaulWinstanleyandLaurenceStewartplantoholdoffonmakinganyjudgementuntilsummer2026.ClubleadershipissaidtoviewMarescaas “therightmanforalong-termspellincharge,”admiringhis “hardwork,progressiontactically,andadaptationtoarevisedclubstructure,”whichnowincludesadedicatedset-piecedepartment,revampedmedicalstaff,andanoverhauledrecruitmentteam.
Withjusttwoleaguematchesremaining,ChelseasitfifthinthePremierLeague—twopointsbehindManchesterCityandlevelwithAstonVilla—leavingtheirtop-fourhopeshanginginthebalance.
WhetherornottheysecureChampionsLeaguefootball,Marescawillremainatthehelm.Fornow,theclub’sfaithinhimisunwavering.
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