Enzo Maresca Under Pressure at Chelsea as January Fixtures Approach
Chelsea currently sit fifth in the Premier League after a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth, marking just one win in their last seven league games. Manager Enzo Maresca is facing intense pressure and could be sacked if results do not improve before the end of January. Chelsea generally prefer to avoid mid-season managerial changes, recalling the disruptions caused by the previous sackings of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter.
Maresca has faced criticism from home fans, who booed him following substitutions and expressed displeasure over his tactics and decisions. His cryptic comment about experiencing the "worst 48 hours" has also strained his relationship with the club’s hierarchy.
Chelsea have a challenging schedule ahead in January with nine fixtures, including five Premier League matches, an FA Cup tie against Charlton, the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg versus Arsenal, and Champions League group matches against Pafos and Napoli. Contingency plans are being considered, with Liam Rosenior of Strasbourg mentioned as a potential candidate should Maresca be replaced. However, moving Rosenior mid-season could disrupt Strasbourg and he is regarded as inexperienced.
There are also rumors about Maresca being a possible target for Manchester City if Pep Guardiola departs, but Chelsea's structure remains unchanged with a focus on stability.
Earlier in the season, Maresca achieved notable results including a 3-0 win over Barcelona and a 1-1 draw with Arsenal. Nonetheless, recent December defeats to Leeds, Atalanta, and Aston Villa have heightened concerns. Additionally, key players Palmer and Colwill have been unavailable for much of Maresca’s second season, with Palmer notably booed when substituted against Bournemouth.
