Pressure is mounting on Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca following a drastic turn of form in the Premier League for the Blues.
His side now find themselves outside of the Champions League spots for the first time all season, with all eyes now on the short away trip to Fulham to try and find some late-season form.
Supporters have begun to lose their affection to the manager who had led them towards a Premier League title race back in December. Fans have aimed chants at Maresca as they have been keen to let him know their anger at the situation they find themselves in.
It has felt at times like the boss is making things way harder for himself than needs be. Reece James’ underwhelming performances in midfield look such an easy fix by moving him back to the right-back position where he came through the ranks.
The current season is Maresca’s first as a Premier League manager, and it is clear that there have been some learning curves he has gone through along the way.
This has not stopped other top sides from admiring the work that he has been doing in the early stages of his career.
David Ornstein told NBC Sports that clubs are taking note should the opportunity arise for the manager to be seeking a new club, although stated that was not in Chelsea’s plans.
He said: “Maresca’s position appears to be safe right now. He’s a younger manager. With the Club World Cup, a busy summer and the new Premier Legaue season round the corner, I would expect him not to be evaluated until the end of his second year at Chelsea.
“They want to build with him. He’s got a close working relationship with the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge. He is admired by other clubs actually, and Chelsea will want to work with him and succeed in collaboration.”
Chelsea’s status on sacking Enzo Maresca
Todd Boehly and co will be desperate to go into a second season with the same manager, after short-term stints with Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino at the helm.
It has been reported that Maresca is safe despite the almighty slump in form they have suffered in the second half of the season.
The ultimate goal is qualifying for Champions League football for next season, and it is still more than possible should they recover some form in the final six games of the campaign.
The catalyst for this for Maresca will be Cole Palmer’s goalscoring woes coming to an end, with the Blues’ key man firing blanks for the majority of 2025.
