Table of Contents
- Performance Review
- Fan Reactions
- Omari Kellyman Update
- Family Connections in Football
- Tribute to Glenn Hoddle
- Andrey Santos' Journey
At best, Enzo Maresca has added a point to his end-of-season performance review.
At worst, the manager may have moved it up.
Enzo Maresca has declined to clarify his ‘worst 48 hours’ commentCredit: PA
The official statement is that the club’s owners and array of sporting directors/recruitment chiefs always planned, and still plan, to evaluate Maresca’s position at the beginning of summer.
However, his still-unexplained outburst, other peculiar incidents over the past week, and the fact that this is Chelsea suggest that it would not be surprising if changes occurred sooner.
Maresca’s refusal to explain or retract his comments about “the worst 48 hours” of his time with the Blues has only heightened the uncertainty.
There is no denying the fan backlash following three disappointing away performances against Atalanta and others.
Those in leadership positions at Chelsea would also likely have been displeased by the decline in performance and the way some supporters attributed more blame to them than to Maresca.
The Italian understands he cannot escape intense scrutiny from both parties.
When Maresca mentioned a lack of support “in general,” it likely reflected his belief that his contributions are underappreciated both within and outside the club.
Maresca feels he deserves greater recognition for leading the Premier League’s youngest ever squad to Champions League qualification, Conference League success, and a profitable Club World Cup victory last season.
Moreover, in this campaign, he has managed quite well with the injuries and fatigue affecting the youngest group of players in the most competitive league globally.
However, it is evident that Maresca’s primary concern lies with those who hold the power to determine whether he continues as Chelsea’s manager or joins Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and Mauricio Pochettino in the past.
It appears that the lack of support, either publicly or privately, following the Atalanta defeat, triggered Maresca’s explosive comments regarding Malo Gusto’s role in what should have been a confidence-building victory.
Earlier this season, after the home defeat to Brighton in September and subsequent questions regarding Maresca’s heavy squad rotation in early November, Chelsea privately reassured that the head coach and his selection strategy had their full backing.
Despite the fact that very few, if any, believed Maresca was in immediate danger.
Yet, after the Atalanta match, no such reassurance was provided.
There are claims that Maresca was dissatisfied with the feedback from his superiors. However, it might have also been a good opportunity for club officials to temper any private criticism with a public message indicating that there was no cause for alarm.
Instead, there was silence, and Maresca took a proactive stance following the victory against Everton.
In the lead-up to the 2-0 victory, there was one thing Blues officials wanted to emphasize that they WERE unhappy about.
When fans claimed on social media that the Gunners had snatched new partner Deel as a future sleeve sponsor – thereby jeopardizing the Blues’ plans to secure a front-of-shirt deal with the payroll and HR platform – Chelsea responded swiftly.
The claim was dismissed as nonsense. Chelsea had finalized a sleeve deal with FTP instead of Deel, and Deel was never in contention to be a front-of-shirt partner for the Blues or anyone else.
The mischievous suggestion from Arsenal fans that Deel believed the Gunners had a greater global reach than Chelsea was also firmly addressed.
Clearly, someone was displeased with any questioning of the club’s commercial strategies.
Yet, there was no word of support or discontent regarding the events on the pitch.
Chelsea remains without a front-of-shirt sponsorCredit: Getty
Many Chelsea fans would support Maresca in any dispute with his superiors.
They believe that the squad Maresca has been given should be stronger and more robust considering the £1.5 billion that has been spent since the current regime took over in May 2022.
Chelsea is not lacking senior figures in the football department.
In addition to co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, Sam Jewell serves as director of global recruitment, and Joe Shields is the director of recruitment and talent.
Furthermore, Chelsea confirmed in November that former Liverpool scouting expert Dave Fallows was joining their setup.
Don't expect them to make any public comments.
However, how many of the five travel all the way to Cardiff on a Tuesday in December for the Carabao Cup match could indicate the direction in which Maresca's fortunes are headed.
MARESCA SNOOKERED
Some Chelsea fans on social media were infuriated by Enzo Maresca’s tactics during the Blues’ defeat away to Atalanta in Bergamo last week.
One fan, more passionate than most, was Australian snooker legend Neil Robertson, who expressed his frustration at Maresca’s team on social media.
He exclaimed
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
