Enzo Maresca’s defining fortnight at Chelsea — Brighton, Mourinho’s return and Liverpool looming
Enzo Maresca may be safe from the sack currently at Chelsea, but his managerial credentials are going to be put to the test in the next few weeks.
Maresca has credit in the bank at the club after Chelsea won the Club World Cup and Europa Conference League under his leadership last season.
The Blues though have made a stuttering start to this campaign, with Man United’s 2-1 win over Chelsea and Bayern Munich’s resounding victory in the Champions League proving Maresca still has work to do.
Joao Pedro’s bright start to life at Chelsea has fizzled out, whilst Cole Palmer is said to be unsatisfied under Maresca.
Brighton the beginning of a tough two weeks for Chelsea
Following their progression in the Carabao Cup against Lincoln, attention now returns to the Premier League.
Chelsea currently sit sixth in the table after five matches, but they are already eight points behind leaders and current champions Liverpool.
They welcome an inconsistent Brighton side to Stamford Bridge next, who have lost both their Premier League matches on their travels this season.
The Seagulls have also lost on their last three trips to Chelsea, but have scored four goals in those matches.
| Date | Competition | Result |
| 27 Sept, 2023 | Carabao Cup | Chelsea 1-0 Brighton |
| 3 Dec, 2023 | Premier League | Chelsea 3-2 Brighton |
| 28 Sept, 2024 | Premier League | Chelsea 4-2 Brighton |
Palmer scored all four goals for Chelsea in their last meeting at the Bridge, though his availability is unknown for this weekend’s clash.
The 23-year-old was substituted in the first half at Man United, after overcoming a late fitness test to start.
Maresca therefore needs his other attacking options to step up, with summer arrival Jamie Gittens proving particularly disappointing so far.
Jose Mourinho reunion awaits
Defeat on matchday one in the Champions League means Chelsea are already playing catch up in the league phase.
The Blues now have back-to-back fixtures at Stamford Bridge in the competition to start climbing the table.
Bayern Munich away was certainly one of the toughest tests Chelsea could have drawn first, but the match showed that Maresca currently does not have a squad capable of winning the Champions League.
Benfica at home will provide a different type of test, with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho returning to the club.
During both of his spells at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho won 204 of his 321 games in charge (63 per cent win rate), drawing 69 and losing just 48.
The Portuguese legend is renowned for a defensive minded approach which aims to frustrate teams. Maresca will need to find a way to breakdown a Benfica side likely to setup in a classic Mourinho way.
Crystal Palace have already shown in the Premier League in their 0-0 draw at Chelsea that they may lack ideas and creativity to break through low blocks.
If Palmer is still unavailable then that task will become even harder for Maresca, and it is his job to find a solution.
Liverpool the true test of Enzo Maresca’s progress
By the time Liverpool arrive at Stamford Bridge, Arne Slot’s side could have gone 11 points above Chelsea in the table.
That would almost certainly rule Chelsea out of the title race early in the season, which would show no progress under Maresca.
The Blues were not expected to win the title this season, but challenging Liverpool and Arsenal would have been an aim.
Chelsea beat Liverpool in this fixture back in May, though the Reds already had the league title secured.
Maresca needs to prove that he can gain a more significant victory over the Premier League champions.
Chelsea won just four of their 10 matches against the ‘big six’ last season, a statistic Maresa needs to improve on.
A defining fortnight in Maresca’s Chelsea reign
Maresca’s first season in charge of Chelsea was deemed a success, and now the pressure is on the Italian to show progress.
The Blues boss was well backed during the transfer window, though not upgrading his goalkeeping department, as seen against Man United and Lincoln, may be a potential downfall.
Whilst Levi Colwill’s ACL injury is out of Maresca’s control, arrival Jorrel Hato looks to be a player for the future and not the present.
Defensively is where Maresca needs to strengthen and Brighton and Liverpool’s attacking styles will test Chelsea’s rearguard.
After Liverpool it does not get any easier for Maresca with a trip to Nottingham Forest.
Maresca must prove in the next fortnight that he is still the right manager to lead Chelsea going forward.