24 minutes ago, Gordon Bennett said:

Can't see a reason to get rid of Maresca. If anyone goes it should be the clowns in charge of the transfers.

Gordon, Maresca not helping himself though is he?

insisting to stick with Sanchez and Jackson, not giving players game time who are clearly better, could easily have tried Palmer on right in last few games and given a chance to Nkunku or Felix in there correct postion..

Alex Crook on Talksport this morning (wether you believe him or not), "plenty of players are unhappy and want out"

my guess is Jorgensen, Disasi, Felix, Nkunku, Neto

Already sent out Veiga, if we dump 3 of the above and Palmer or Caicedo gets injured we are screwed

1 minute ago, POCH OUT said:

Gordon, Maresca not helping himself though is he?

insisting to stick with Sanchez and Jackson, not giving players game time who are clearly better, could easily have tried Palmer on right in last few games and given a chance to Nkunku or Felix in there correct postion..

Alex Crook on Talksport this morning (wether you believe him or not), "plenty of players are unhappy and want out"

my guess is Jorgensen, Disasi, Felix, Nkunku, Neto

Already sent out Veiga, if we dump 3 of the above and Palmer or Caicedo gets injured we are screwed

Maresca is manager and definitely some of the criticism coming his way is valid. But it was the SD's who overstacked the squad with mediocre squad players and created this situation. 

4 hours ago, POCH OUT said:

Gordon, Maresca not helping himself though is he?

insisting to stick with Sanchez and Jackson, not giving players game time who are clearly better, could easily have tried Palmer on right in last few games and given a chance to Nkunku or Felix in there correct postion..

Alex Crook on Talksport this morning (wether you believe him or not), "plenty of players are unhappy and want out"

my guess is Jorgensen, Disasi, Felix, Nkunku, Neto

Already sent out Veiga, if we dump 3 of the above and Palmer or Caicedo gets injured we are screwed

If definitely be supportive of moving Palmer to the right for a few games to see if it helps.

Can't argue with the point on Sanchez - he needs to be dropped immediately.

I really thought that this whole Maresca is tactically stubborn thing was a Leicester thing and that he had changed for us... appears not.

 

I don't think its entirely on him though, there is a lot of meddling from the SDs and I think this falls more on them. However, Palmer needs to get moved to the right for sure, 

otherwise, the biggest gripe with Maresca is that in the media he is constantly talking about how mediocrity is ok and that we are ok being 6th and that a top 4 challenge isn't in the cards... why the f**k don't we have a front of shirt sponsor then? the whole idea was better deals when we secure champions league... but apparently that isn't the goal???

On 25/01/2025 at 02:56, dkw said:

For all those calling out maresca for not changing things, this is the current composition of our 1st team squad by their actual proper position. 

2 keepers (Sanchez, Jorgensen) 

2 right backs (James, Gusto) 

1 left back (Cucurella)

6 centre backs (Fofana, Colwill, Baddieshile, Disasi, Acheampong, Chalobah) 

3 centre mids (Caicedo, Lavia, Enzo)

4 wingers (Neto, Sancho, Madueke, George)

4 attacking midfielders (nkunku, Palmer, Felix, KDH)

1 striker (Jackson) 

Something about eggs and omelettes comes to mind

11 hours ago, forbzy said:

Whatever happens with Maresca I don't want the Sporting Directors to be allowed to pick yet another manager. If the owners decide Maresca has to go, then the SD's have to go too.

Maresca is fine

11 hours ago, H2SO4aq said:

I really thought that this whole Maresca is tactically stubborn thing was a Leicester thing and that he had changed for us... appears not.

 

I don't think its entirely on him though, there is a lot of meddling from the SDs and I think this falls more on them. However, Palmer needs to get moved to the right for sure, 

otherwise, the biggest gripe with Maresca is that in the media he is constantly talking about how mediocrity is ok and that we are ok being 6th and that a top 4 challenge isn't in the cards... why the f**k don't we have a front of shirt sponsor then? the whole idea was better deals when we secure champions league... but apparently that isn't the goal???

Wrighty echos your point, and I completely agree. Big mistake by Maresca.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-i-found-strange-ian-wright-claims-enzo-maresca-s-comments-hampered-chelsea-s-season

On 28/01/2025 at 08:55, El regreso said:

It’s real I checked his twitter account couldn’t believe it.

Its a fan account

I think his system has been worked out. Saw a tweet from a Leicester fan saying that it happened last year and the only difference was that they had a better squad (more PL) than others in the championship. That won’t happen in the premier league. There’s better teams than us  

The goals have all dried up, he’s never made the defence work and we’re not even creating much now. 

Imagine if we get a bad result / performance vs West Ham (Potter) and the go out of the FA cup vs Brighton away? I think things will start to turn toxic. 

I would also like to see some investment and commitment from the club for the players they have bought. They buy th only to discard them 18 months. Complete waste of time and resource. 

6 minutes ago, Ukraine Bolt said:

Its a fan account

 

Translation : "All about Enzo but not affiliated with Enzo ... fan parody ... " 

 

 

 

Quite amusing that if you click the TikTok link on the account header this is what you get : 

 

17 Followers for an "official" account LMAO.

People are obviously falling for it though ...

Let's hope that Maresca likes an 8.00pm kick-offs as we have three on the trot coming up, first West Ham, followed by Brighton x 2.

IF we were to lose all three games, then I think there would be every reason to give Maresca his P45. Lose all three and he starts each game with Sanchez and Jackson, then the P45 should be accompanied by a big kick to the bo**ocks.

 

34 minutes ago, Nibs said:

Let's hope that Maresca likes an 8.00pm kick-offs as we have three on the trot coming up, first West Ham, followed by Brighton x 2.

IF we were to lose all three games, then I think there would be every reason to give Maresca his P45. Lose all three and he starts each game with Sanchez and Jackson, then the P45 should be accompanied by a big kick to the bo**ocks.

 

I think in that scenario, Maresca would find himself under a lot of pressure. Then again if Maresca was shown the door, there would be every chance the rest of the season would then be a write-off with a lame duck interim. Owners would also then have to start again, and surely SD's would also have to be shown the door.

Surely the board must be asking questions of the SDs with half of the squad up for sale?

Watching the Champions League tonight with many inferior and on par teams with ours on paper, seeing how direct they are playing with pace is so frustrating. I just want a manager that can mix up styles instead of slow turgid football.

Maresca is not without his faults but may be the only member of the management team who is trying to focus on the team and winning football matches.

Boehly Eghbali Stewart & Winstanley are focused on commercial matters.

There are almost two parts to Chelsea these days and they are barely connected.

Maresca is our man. The next individual may be further brainwashed into supporting commercial matters as his primary focus.

 

Up the Chels.

Blue Co less so.

 

 

Edited January 30, 20251 yr by OneTommyLangley

16 hours ago, JM7 said:

Surely the board must be asking questions of the SDs with half of the squad up for sale?

I think the only questions asked will be how much profit has been made? 

16 hours ago, JM7 said:

Surely the board must be asking questions of the SDs with half of the squad up for sale?

I honestly can't, for the life of me, see how Clearlake don't sack them come the end of the season. Especially if we fail to get rid of these players (legitimately their own signings) and/or don't finish Top 4/5. 

This whole strategy needs to be reformed. 

Edited January 30, 20251 yr by Sconnie Blue

On 29/01/2025 at 15:24, Nibs said:

Let's hope that Maresca likes an 8.00pm kick-offs as we have three on the trot coming up, first West Ham, followed by Brighton x 2.

IF we were to lose all three games, then I think there would be every reason to give Maresca his P45. Lose all three and he starts each game with Sanchez and Jackson, then the P45 should be accompanied by a big kick to the bo**ocks.

 

He said it clearly that the goals set by the board are to compete in his first season, then get top four in his second season and challenge for the league title in his third season.

And I truly believe it just by looking at the board's current behaviour in the transfer market. This is a squad screaming for at least two or three top, experienced players, yet we are linked with a plethora of 19 and 20 year olds (Tel, Garnacho, Baleba, Rutter). 

Maresca is safe for now no matter he finishes 6th or 14th this season. This time, next year? If he isn't close to top four? Then I am not that sure. But for now he is more than safe. The board truly follow the Dodgers project. Boehly and Walter were patient enough for around 8 years to first develop the association from a commercial point of view, develop their players through the minor leagues and then unleash in the draft market and sign all the superstars.

The squad assembled here at Chelsea has tons of potential and follows their view and the way the players develop at the moment it gives the board confirmation that it all goes to plan (I believe their projection is to challenge for major titles as soon as the likes of Palmer, Caicedo, Enzo, Colwill hit their peak, or get close to it, like Lavia, Santos, Estevao), but the one major problem they have is the fans' patience as there is a huge difference between the European football fans supporting the truly big clubs and the American baseball fans. 

4 minutes ago, petre ispirescu said:

He said it clearly that the goals set by the board are to compete in his first season, then get top four in his second season and challenge for the league title in his third season.

And I truly believe it just by looking at the board's current behaviour in the transfer market. This is a squad screaming for at least two or three top, experienced players, yet we are linked with a plethora of 19 and 20 year olds (Tel, Garnacho, Baleba, Rutter). 

Maresca is safe for now no matter he finishes 6th or 14th this season. This time, next year? If he isn't close to top four? Then I am not that sure. But for now he is more than safe. The board truly follow the Dodgers project. Boehly and Walter were patient enough for around 8 years to first develop the association from a commercial point of view, develop their players through the minor leagues and then unleash in the draft market and sign all the superstars.

The squad assembled here at Chelsea has tons of potential and follows their view and the way the players develop at the moment it gives the board confirmation that it all goes to plan (I believe their projection is to challenge for major titles as soon as the likes of Palmer, Caicedo, Enzo, Colwill hit their peak, or get close to it, like Lavia, Santos, Estevao), but the one major problem they have is the fans' patience as there is a huge difference between the European football fans supporting the truly big clubs and the American baseball fans. 

You're probably right. I do expect Maresca to lead us into next season, wherever we finish.

BUT, you never know with football. IF our results and performances don't improve and we continue to lose games we should be winning AND the support make their voices heard and players down tools, you never know, The Board may just have to act.

 

On 28/01/2025 at 23:58, Bob stark said:

Maresca is fine

That's it, now I know he has to be sacked. 

Cannot believe for one minute that there is zero mindset at the club to get Top 4 this season.

You'd have to do an impossible amount of player trading or other commercial activity to bridge the £100m+ hit in the difference in TV/Media/prize Money revenue between being in the Champions League vs Conference League or Europa League.

And to have to do that for three years in a row ... 

 

I actually have sympathy for the players and manager. The transfer policy/rumours/signings must be enough to destabilise/ be disruptive / demotivating to players and manager. 

However, It doesnt matter if you are at this club 10 years or ten minutes, I do actually want to see everyone busting a gut and working hard when things are not going well. 

Some have played well, others have been well below par. 

Not seen enough desire since December so hoping Maresca gets back on track this weekend. We all need a result and the transfer window to shut again

 

 

 

Matt Law's recent podcast had him say if we fail to get Champions League, Maresca would be the one under pressure more so than the directors. Goes as far as saying their positions wouldn't be in jeopardy. 

 

I think we are f**ked fellas. 

All is not lost

The least comings and goings the better for the team/ squad.

If there is lots of movement in this window we are likely to lose players and / or bring in players for the commercial team.

Only a few days to go and very little squad disruption (sorry transfers) has happened. No fantastic commercial deals for the SD's to pat themselves on the back with....yet🙂 PSR just might be our friend too - it might slow down the meddling and constant churning of the squad. If these clowns can't sell they won't be able to buy much.

 

Edited January 31, 20251 yr by OneTommyLangley