There is a possibility that this season ends really badly for Enzo Maresca and his Chelsea side.
Chelsea could finish the campaign without Champions League football and trophyless should they lose the Conference League final against Real Betis later this month.
The Blues are going to have to secure qualification for Europe’s elite competition without their first-choice striker Nicolas Jackson following the red card that he picked up in his team’s 2-0 loss to Newcastle United last Sunday.
On the same weekend, Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings managed to get away with an elbow in his game, but Howard Webb has since explained why Jackson was dismissed, while the defender escaped punishment.
Jermaine Pennant pleased to see Chelsea owners back Enzo Maresca
At the start of the week, it was claimed that some members on Chelsea’s board had doubts about Maresca.
However, since then, it has emerged that the Italian’s job is safe. According to The Telegraph, even if the Blues fail to qualify for the Champions League, Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have no intention of sacking Maresca.
It is news that Jermaine Pennant is happy to hear, with the former Liverpool winger keen to see managers get more time.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “I think that’s right. It is [quite nice], a team, an organisation giving you the time to start building rather than thinking, ‘Right, quick fix, if it doesn’t work, you’re out’. You look at [Jurgen] Klopp, when he came in, he wasn’t successful in his first year.”
Ex-Chelsea star Joe Cole is also likely to be pleased with the development. Cole recently talked about Maresca’s future, claiming that the club had made progress under the 45-year-old.
Emmanuel Petit on who would have been a good replacement for Enzo Maresca
Emmanuel Petit is another former Blue who has also been speaking about Maresca. The retired midfielder is not itching for Maresca to go, but when discussing who is out there to replace him he named Inter Milan’s Simone Inzaghi.
Petit is a huge fan of Inzaghi, saying: “Inzaghi, you know, from Inter, someone like that. I think Inzaghi is underrated for what he’s doing so far with Inter Milan for the last two, three seasons.
“He’s competing for the championship in Italy as well and the Champions League. I think he’s reached a second final in the space of three years.”
For now, though, it does not look like Maresca has to look over his shoulder, even if Chelsea fail to achieve any of their goals this season. The club want to give their man time, or that is at least the message they are trying to send out.
