“Enzo Maresca has already shown he’s not ready for the Chelsea job. This kind of decision-making won’t help the team move forward. We need someone with a clearer vision to lead us.” – A Frank Lampard has criticized Maresca’s first major misstep as manager following their disappointing defeat to Fulham. Questions are being raised about whether he’s the right fit for the Blues’ ambitious project
The atmosphere at Stamford Bridge this season has been notably positive under the management of Enzo Maresca, who has taken charge of Chelsea with great success. In his first campaign in the Premier League, Maresca has guided the team to an impressive second-place standing in the league table, demonstrating significant progress in the squad’s overall performance. The Blues’ supporters have quickly warmed to their new manager, as reflected by the loud and enthusiastic chants of his name during their dominant 5-1 victory over Southampton just a few weeks ago.
However, the positivity was momentarily overshadowed by frustration following Chelsea’s Boxing Day defeat to Fulham in the West London derby. Despite taking an early lead through Cole Palmer, who showed promising chemistry with striker Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea failed to capitalize on their momentum and ultimately fell short, losing the match. The team’s performance lacked sharpness and cohesion, leaving fans disappointed.
Maresca’s tactical decisions during the game also drew criticism. He made only one substitution, swapping Jackson for Christopher Nkunku, aiming to inject energy into the attack. Unfortunately, Nkunku struggled to influence the game, and the substitution failed to deliver the desired impact. Fans compared this to Jackson’s earlier display against Brentford, where, despite missing a clear opportunity, he redeemed himself by scoring the winning goal.
Supporters were further perplexed by the lack of additional substitutions when the score was still tied at 1-1. Players like Joao Felix, Marc Guiu, and Tyrique George remained on the bench, leaving underperforming players such as Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho on the field. This decision not only denied Chelsea fresh attacking options but also raised questions about the utilization of squad depth.
Reports suggest that Joao Felix may be growing increasingly frustrated with his limited playing time, and this match served as a glaring example of missed opportunities to involve him. As Chelsea looks to maintain their strong position near the top of the league, Maresca will need to find a delicate balance between squad rotation, tactical adjustments, and player management to ensure continued success.
