Enzo Maresca says Chelsea is ahead of expectations, but the results of the Premier League, and Robert Sanchez form doubts | Football news
“I think we have evolved a lot as a team since we started. We are probably ahead of my expectations in terms of the way we play, and also in the sense of the results.”
Enzo Maresca was a bull because of the progress his side had achieved since his appointment last summer when he spoke in front of Chelsea’s path to Manchester City last weekend.
But that progress was not exhibited in Etihad, where Guardiola designed the second pleasant victory in the season over his former Protege, even though he was in the middle of his worst season in Manchester.
Not that Maresca turned away. “In my opinion, we are a better team than a month, two months ago,” he said in the midst of defeat.
Where does Maresca come from optimism? Running from One win in seven games Premier League leaves Chelsea Sixth front Fixions this weekend13 points behind Liverpool, who has a game in his hand.
Maresca may point to the sudden inefficiency of his part in the attack as a reason for this discomfort. But six weeks ago, they were two points outside the place after winning in all competitions in their seventh consecutive match and had to play a conversation about the first realistic challenge for the title since they last abolished the trophy eight years ago.
No one talks about the title anymore. Chelsea even slipped off the Champions League qualifying points – a competition they won twice but failed to reach the last two seasons.
Did Mareca really watch his team take six points from his last seven league matches and decided that they had improved during that time?
Of course, the main coach may indicate the results he has been overseeing before this winter fall to justify his claim that Chelsea is ahead of expectations.
Blues lost only four of 27 games at all competitions before Christmas and crushed up to Top of the Conference League table.
But it is also worth a look Who did Chelsea earn his points against. They only lost once against foreign, currently in the lower half of the Premier League, but won only four of the 11 fixtures against the teams in the Top 10.
In four games against Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City they took one point.
After 34 matches, what is Mareca the most impressive result? Perhaps 4-3 Winning Return to Tottenham But the Spurs have lost more than half of the league matches this season. Maybe these are home -winning against Newcastle and Aston villa??
Impressive, yes, but none of these results marked a turning point or made a statement that he suggested that Chelsea was returning among the elite.
In fact, how much did they really progress from separating ways with Mauricioo Pochettin? After a rocky first half to his only season, Marescan predecessor stood on the ship in 2024 and led Chelsea to the sixth -ranked end on the back of the five games. But just as the momentum was built, the relationship ended.
Eight months, Chelsea remained sixth. They won smaller points and scored smaller goals in the Premier League under Maresc than they did during the second half of Pochettino, although goals for both against and against Italian were expected.
Heavenly sports’ The main reporter of Kageh Solhekol noted that “Chelsea believes that the Champions League Club” was when he commented on Pochettin’s exit. Most fans would say the same. So whose expectations Chelsea exceeded?
Maybe Maresca decides to stay optimistic to convince his players during their first fall under his supervision. But similarities can be drawn with Chelsea’s current form and the way Leicester’s results fell under him last year.
After winning 25 of their first 32 championship matches, Leicester’s results were rejected since February onwards, losing six of 10 before gathering on time.
Despite their eventual success, there was a feeling that not all Foxes fans were disappointed with his way out. Maresca also faced questions about her tactics and choosing a team during her stay in Leicester. “The moment there is a doubt about the idea, the day after, I’ll leave,” he said last January.
Things are far from that bad for Maresc, but his decisions come under control again. The faith shown in Robert Sanchez is not shared by the crowd of Stamford Bridge, some of whom have been deceiving goalkeepers in recent weeks.
Installing Sanchez as his number 1 after Roberto de Zerbi rejected him to Brighton, and Pochettino in Chelsea was a brave call of Mareca, especially with £ 20.5 million of summer signing Filip Jorgensen on the bench. It didn’t pay off.
Maresca is a reluctance to use certain members of her team in the Premier League also raised her eyebrows. Kiernan Dewsbury -hall, Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunk – signed a total of £ 115m – only seven league starts combined.
Maresca gave up a country in Sanchez’s debate after his mistake in the defeat of the city, admitting: “Robert is completely aware that he has to do better.” Sanchez are not given public guarantees about retaining their place for the next Chelsea game – at home West Ham Football on Monday night.
Hammers’ visit to West London will also mark the first return of one of the many former Chelsea managers. Like Maresca, Graham Potter – former teammate of the current Blues chief in West Brom – Chelsea got his first goal in the big club.
Like Maresca, Potter enjoyed the solid beginning of life in Western London, leaving undefeated in his first nine games.
But the trouble was right around the corner. Blip in the form became a fall, which then became a crisis – and then resulted in release.
The chaos swallowed by Potter no longer implements Chelsea to the same extent. The lessons are learned.
But on Monday night, Maresca will face a manager who can confirm that fast wealth can be changed to Stamford Bridge.
Watch Chelsea Vs West Ham on Monday, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League of 18.30; Start from 8:00 pm. Streak with now.
