Chelsea on the Brink: How Maresca Can Save a Season Slipping Away
Chelsea’s early season has been far from impressive. After nine Premier League matches, they sit in ninth place far behind their major rivals. Below you will see inormation about this news which has been summarized The Football Breakdown.
Their inconsistency has become the biggest enemy, making fans unsure whether a top-four challenge is realistic or just wishful thinking. The disappointing 2-1 loss to newly promoted Sunderland summed up their struggles. Chelsea were second-best for most of the game, and once again showed how easily momentum can swing against them. Coach Enzo Maresca admitted the truth: if Chelsea aren’t good enough, the Premier League will punish them.
This young squad is full of potential but lacks a clear identity. Some days they look unstoppable like the thrilling win over Liverpool yet they collapse against teams they should easily beat. Maresca must close that difference fast.
Beating Teams They Should Beat
One of Chelsea’s biggest problems is failing to take advantage of so-called weaker opposition. Points have been wasted against Crystal Palace, Brentford, Brighton, Manchester United during their crisis period, and now Sunderland. On paper, these should be victories.
The team often struggles to control matches where they are expected to be dominant. Confidence drops quickly when the first goal doesn’t come, and challenges spiral into panic. Chelsea must learn how to grind out results even on bad days.
Maresca knows consistency is key. He has said the team cannot keep bouncing from excellent to awful. To become a top club again, Chelsea need a stable, solid performance level especially when they are the favorites.
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Bring the Fear Back to Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge used to be one of the toughest stadiums in England. Under Mourinho, visiting teams expected defeat. Now, home matches feel like a burden rather than an advantage. Two wins from five league matches at home is simply not good enough for a club with Chelsea’s history.
Crowd frustration isn’t helping. Young players can feel the pressure when fans groan at every mistake. Confidence disappears, and opponents grow braver instead of intimidated. The stadium must once again become a place where Chelsea are ruthless and opponents suffer.
The win against Liverpool showed what can happen when the stadium roars in support. That loud, united energy helped drag the team to victory. If Chelsea and their fans reconnect, the Bridge can become a fortress again.
Smarter Starts and Stronger Discipline
Chelsea also struggle to begin games with urgency. Slow starts against West Ham, Fulham, Brentford, Nottingham Forest, and more have forced them to fight from behind. Momentum often goes to the other team before Chelsea even settle.
With such a young squad, experience and leadership are still developing. But good teams control matches early, and Chelsea need that confidence right from kickoff. Starting strong can change the entire tone of a match.
Discipline has also been a major obstacle. Four red cards in a short span ruined games they could have won. Maresca knows these mistakes must stop. Chelsea must learn to stay focused, stay calm, and finish with eleven players on the pitch. Follow footballtipsonline.co.uk for weekly deep dives into football’s biggest stories.
