By mid-December, Chelsea was on a strong run of form, just two points behind league leader Liverpool. Optimism surrounded the Blues, who had gone unbeaten in eight games, winning six. Fans even dared to dream of a surprise title challenge in Enzo Maresca’s debut season. However, what followed has been a dramatic downward spiral, leaving Chelsea in real danger of falling short of their league targets. They have managed just one win in their last seven Premier League games, raising serious concerns.
Much of Chelsea’s recent struggles can be traced back to Maresca himself. Until their victory against Brentford, the manager’s tactical ingenuity, in-game adjustments, and timely substitutions had given Chelsea a clear edge. However, since then, these qualities seem to have vanished. Late or non-existent substitutions, an unwillingness to tweak lineups, and a lack of tactical flexibility have been evident.
Goalkeeper Robert Sánchez has become a glaring weak point. Multiple errors have directly led to opposition goals, and his poor passing accuracy has further amplified Chelsea's issues. Yet, Maresca has continued to back him, much to the frustration of fans. Filip Jörgensen, a capable alternative, remains underutilized, while Chelsea’s loaned goalkeepers, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Djordje Petrović, are thriving elsewhere. Maresca’s decision to stick with Sánchez, despite his struggles last season, has baffled many.
Malo Gusto was one of Chelsea’s standout performers in the 2023-24 season due to his dynamic runs up and down the flanks. However, Maresca’s system has limited fullbacks, preferring them to remain more static rather than supporting wingers with overlapping runs. Reece James, one of the best fullbacks in the world when allowed freedom, has also been restricted, leaving Chelsea’s wingers isolated under pressure.
Chelsea boasts one of Europe’s deepest squads, yet Maresca has failed to rotate effectively. Regular starters are showing visible signs of fatigue, while bench players are either neglected or given minimal minutes. Renato Veiga, a versatile player, has already left on loan to Juventus. Meanwhile, key attackers like João Félix and Christopher Nkunku have barely featured despite the team’s poor form. Both players are rumored to be leaving in the January transfer window, which would leave Chelsea even more stretched.
The lack of rotation is putting Chelsea’s regular starters at risk of injuries. With Renato Veiga gone, the Blues have only one natural left-back in Marc Cucurella, while Ben Chilwell is out of favor. If Félix and Nkunku depart, there will be no direct cover for Cole Palmer as a No. 10. Nkunku is one of the players who has led the line instead of Jackson at times.
Nicolas Jackson, among Chelsea’s top performers earlier this season, has seen a significant dip in form, missing multiple big chances in recent games. Yet Maresca refuses to give meaningful minutes to Christopher Nkunku or Marc Guiu. The pair are among the top scorers in the UEFA Conference League. Similarly, Noni Madueke continues to start despite underwhelming displays. Meanwhile, midfielders Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández are fatigued from playing the full 90 minutes week in and week out. Midfielders like Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are barely utilized, leading to rumors of their potential exits.
Lack of adaptability is another glaring issue with Enzo Maresca’s management, compounded by the clear lack of player development under his tenure. He continues to restrict his fullbacks and shows an unwillingness to deviate from his preferred tactics. For instance, despite the high line failing against Manchester City last Saturday, Maresca refused to adjust. While it’s easy to claim the players aren’t good enough, it’s the manager’s responsibility to either improve them or implement a system that maximizes their strengths. He remains rigid in deploying a lone striker ahead of a #10 with wingers on either side, despite having other tactical options. For example, he could use Cole Palmer as a right inside forward, where he thrived last season, or pair Christopher Nkunku or Joao Felix with Palmer in a more flexible setup. Yet, for reasons unknown, Maresca continues to resist adapting.
Chelsea’s current trajectory is worrying. With starters struggling for form or fitness, capable backups leaving due to a lack of trust, and tough fixtures ahead, the Blues’ top-four hopes are fading. Just a month ago, finishing in the top four seemed achievable. Currently, Chelsea are sixth, and the challenges only seem to be piling up.
Enzo Maresca faces a monumental task to salvage Chelsea’s season. Dropping underperforming players like Sánchez, embracing squad rotation, and reintegrating sidelined talent could provide a way forward. If not, Chelsea’s season could unravel further, leaving fans with more frustration and fewer reasons for optimism.