Man City showed Chelsea ‘what ambitious clubs do’ as Enzo Maresca slammed by Jamie Carragher
Chelsea’s transfer business has been criticised as Enzo Maresca comes in for questioning, with pressure building on the Italian.
Maresca was praised last season as Chelsea won the Club World Cup, Europa Conference League and qualified for this seasons Champions League.
Many believe, though, that the Blues have not progressed this campaign, with Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Man United leaving them sixth in the Premier League table and eight points off leaders Liverpool.
Robert Sanchez was sent off against Man United, with the goalkeeping position one many expected Maresca to strengthen in the summer.
Jamie Carragher shocked Chelsea didn’t go for Gianluigi Donnarumma
Chelsea and Maresca face a defining fortnight, with home matches against Brighton, Benfica and Liverpool in all competitions upcoming.
Sanchez served his suspension against Lincoln in the Carabao Cup, meaning the Spaniard is available to start against Brighton ahead of Filip Jorgensen.
Jamie Carragher though, as per The Telegraph [26 September], believes Chelsea should have brought a new goalkeeper in the summer and thinks the likes of Man City are currently more ambitious in the market.
“The glaring flaws last season were in goal and at centre-half. Despite 12 new arrivals over the summer, those areas remain the Achilles’ heel,” Carragher said.
“Chelsea were linked with AC Milan’s French keeper Mike Maignan, but the message was they were not prepared to pay more than £12m. Why not?
“Manchester City showed what ambitious clubs do when an obvious issue needs sorting out, signing Gianluigi Donnarumma.
“Why were Chelsea not part of the conversation for the PSG keeper? He could have been a transformative signing for them. Rather than focus on positions in need of urgent attention.”
Sanchez made five errors leading to goals in the Premier League last season, and has been largely criticised for his distribution playing out from the back.
| Appearances | 34 |
| Clean Sheets | 10 |
| Pass Accuracy % | 65.3 |
| Long Ball Accuracy % | 27.9 |
Jamie Carragher highlights problem for Chelsea in the future
Carragher added that Chelsea are targeting the wrong positions in the team, and that there is already a problem heading into next summer’s transfer window.
“Rather than focus on positions in need of urgent attention, Chelsea appear to be obsessed with collecting wingers,” Carragher said.
“Jamie Gittens, youngster Estevao and Alejandro Garnacho all signed this summer. They have another winger arriving in the summer of 2026, having secured a £40m deal with Sporting Lisbon for teenager Geovany Quenda. Who among this season’s options will make way for him in 12 months’ time?
“With an imbalanced squad, there was no chance of Chelsea winning the league coming into this season, and Maresca already sounded realistic after last weekend’s defeat by Manchester United, suggesting it might be “impossible” to catch Liverpool.”
Gittens has yet to contribute a goal or assist this season since joining from Borussia Dortmund, whilst Garnacho is waiting to make his first Premier League start for the Blues.
18-year-old Estevao is a player for the future, and many Chelsea fans may question why the club sold Noni Madueke to Arsenal.