Enzo Maresca hit by ‘big blow’ that Chelsea’s owners have ‘quickly spotted’
Chelsea’s poor start to the Premier League season has seen manager Enzo Maresca criticised for his decision-making.
Maresca is starting to come under pressure at Stamford Bridge, with his side already eight points adrift of league leaders Arsenal.
Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Sunderland on Saturday (25 October) saw them drop down to ninth in the Premier League.
The Blues have now lost three out of their last five games in the top flight, and are in danger of missing out on the Champions League places.
Enzo Maresca must secure Champions League football
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Maresca must deliver Champions League football for Chelsea in order to keep his job.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that the Blues should actually be finishing third at the very least, and that there is now pressure building on the former Leicester City boss.
Chelsea have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, with wins over Nottingham Forest and Liverpool cancelled out by defeats to Brighton and Sunderland.
Wyness added that he is starting to sense some unhappiness behind the scenes at the West London club.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I’m starting to sense a little bit of unhappiness in the Chelsea camp with Maresca. I think the Sunderland loss was something that really sort of hit home a little bit.
“I think he’s got to deliver at the very least Champions League, and it’s got to be probably third. If they’re not in the top four, then I think he will be gone. I think it’s pretty much that simple for them. I don’t think cup runs will mean anything; it’s all about the Champions League qualification for Chelsea.
“As we know, they’ve invested in the squad heavily, so we’re looking at third, I think, for Chelsea at the very least. There’ll be pressure building on him now. The home losses are the ones that tend to affect managers more than ever, and especially against a newly promoted team like Sunderland.
“That was a big blow for him. And that gets spotted quickly by owners, and that sticks in their mind, whether it’s rational or irrational. So Maresca is going to have to deliver at that level, otherwise he will be gone at the end of the season.”
Chelsea eye Reece James backup
Meanwhile, Chelsea are eyeing Strasbourg defender Guela Doue amid concerns over the long-term fitness of Reece James.
James’ injury-induced withdrawal from the England squad in the October international break was yet another warning sign that the Blues need to bolster at right-back.
Sources told Football Insider that both Aston Villa and Brighton are also in the race for Doue as he continues to impress in France.
However, the multi-club ownership connection between Chelsea and Strasbourg could be the deciding factor in tempting the 23-year-old to Stamford Bridge.
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