Enzo Maresca insists there’s “no reason to be negative” at Chelsea as he continues to be backed by the board at Stamford Bridge.
Blues supporters confirmed their dissatisfaction with Maresca and his staff through the closing phases of Saturday’s 3-1 house defeat to Brighton.
It was a 3rd loss in 4 for Chelsea in all competitions and the second through which that they had collapsed after taking place to 10 males, following Trevoh Chalobah’s 53rd-minute crimson card that precipitated a capitulation from a one-goal lead and command of the match.
Nevertheless, throughout his press convention forward of Chelsea’s reunion with Jose Mourinho when Benfica go to Stamford Bridge within the Champions League, Maresca identified that Chelsea have solely misplaced 5 video games within the final six months, with 4 of them once they have been diminished to 10 males, suggesting there was lots to be optimistic about for the Blues.
“We need to be positive because first of all it is what the players need,” Maresca stated. “Secondly, as a result of I believe there isn’t a purpose to be damaging.
“This morning the membership confirmed me a stat that within the final six months we misplaced 5 video games, 4 of them with a crimson card [for a Chelsea player].
“For positive we wish to win video games, but in addition the truth is there is no strain. The one strain is that being at Chelsea as a participant or a supervisor that you must win video games, there isn’t a doubt, however the actuality is that for various causes, damage or crimson playing cards, we misplaced 5 video games in six months.
“At the same time I think it is something that is not bad.”
That is the most recent wave of strain to come back upon the Italian throughout his 15-month spell in cost, however Chelsea have full confidence in Maresca and their head coach just isn’t below any further strain regardless of a comparatively disappointing begin to the season.
On the midpoint of final season followers appeared to have been gained over and through a 5-1 win at Southampton in December sang “we’ve got our Chelsea back” because the staff – free-scoring at that time – climbed to second.
Issues soured with a poor league run that noticed them scrape into the highest 5 on the ultimate day, however the sight of the staff lifting the Convention League and Membership World Cup trophies went a number of the method in the direction of placating followers.
Requested what he wanted to do to make sure he retains the Chelsea supporters on facet, he stated: “In all probability proceed to win trophies.
Maresca’s facet have a reunion with Jose Mourinho on Tuesday when Benfica go to Stamford Bridge
“I would like it one day for sure (for fans to sing my name) but it’s not my target. I’m happy if they can sing ‘we’ve got our Chelsea back’, because that means as a team we are doing something important.
“For positive (it could be particular), but when they sing ‘we have got our Chelsea again’, I am already pleased. Possibly someday they will sing my title much more.”
A smattering of supporters near the dugout booed the team at the final whistle against Brighton, while some had earlier directed their unhappiness at Maresca directly.
“More often than not the followers react with the outcomes,” he said. “After a defeat it is regular the followers should not pleased, the membership just isn’t pleased.
“If in this moment after five defeats in six months we are not happy, this probably shows a lack of balance in this sport. It’s a sport I’m in for the last 30 years, so I know exactly that it’s like this.”
Chelsea holding the religion with Maresca
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Kaveh Solhekol explains whether or not Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is below any further strain in his job after a disappointing begin to the season.
Newest from Sky Sports activities Information chief correspondent Kaveh Solhekol:
Chelsea have full confidence in Maresca and their head coach just isn’t below any further strain regardless of a comparatively disappointing begin to the season.
No-one is hitting the panic button at Stamford Bridge. The goal for Maresca’s facet stays qualifying for the Champions League once more and difficult for trophies in all of the competitions they’re enjoying on this season.
Maresca – and his gamers – will likely be absolutely evaluated on the finish of the season, not in September after six league video games. Chelsea are nonetheless eighth within the desk after shedding twice and one win away from the highest 4.
Chelsea certified for the Champions League and gained two trophies final season. Chelsea imagine they’ve a stronger squad now and Maresca and his gamers are nonetheless well-placed to construct on final season’s successes.
Maresca has been advised the membership are absolutely behind him and there’s nonetheless all to play for this season.
This isn’t the primary time Chelsea have skilled a hunch below Maresca. Final season they gained solely two league video games between mid-December and the ultimate week of February. Chelsea saved religion with Maresca then and they’ll do the identical once more now.
‘Strain ramping up on Maresca’
Paul Merson believes the presure is beginning to ramp up on Maresca
Sky Sports activities’ Paul Merson insists the strain is ramping up on Chelsea boss Maresca after his facet suffered a 3-1 defeat to Brighton at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues at the moment are and not using a win in three league matches and Merson believes Maresca can be below ‘extreme’ strain with a 3rd straight defeat towards Liverpool subsequent weekend.
“Chelsea never have long spells of dominance in games,” Merson advised Soccer Saturday. “You knew Brighton were going to have their time, and they did. In the end, they thoroughly deserved the win.
“Chelsea need to hold gamers on the pitch. You have a look at the final two fixtures and you might be pondering six factors for Chelsea.
“They’ve got no points from Man Utd and Brighton, and it’s so disappointing. The pressure is ramping up on Maresca,” he added.
“They are a million miles from being convincing. They have a 20-minute spell in the game where you think ‘Wow! They are good’. They were amazing in the first 20 or so against Brighton.
“Then it simply fizzles out. They will have one other good 10 minutes however then it fizzles out once more.
“It’s a big week coming up now. They face Benfica and a certain Jose Mourinho before playing Liverpool. If they lose to Liverpool that would be three defeats on the spin in the league. That would be pressure. Maresca would be under severe pressure.”
