Chelsea’s decline under Clearlake Capital is well documented, and now Enzo Maresca stands as the last manager to defend his future in London.
From Thomas Tuchel’s brutal dismissal to Graham Potter’s failed spell and Frank Lampard’s disastrous interim tenure, Chelsea have had a turbulent time. Even Mauricio Pochettino, who delivered eight wins in his last 12 games last year, was not allowed to continue.
Now it is Maresca’s turn to stand in the storm. After a disappointing 2-1 loss to Legia Warsaw in the Europa Conference League – despite a star-studded starting eleven – the criticism has escalated.
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Chelsea’s away clash at Craven Cottage against Fulham on Sunday could be decisive.
1. Chelsea’s miserable development
- Only 20 points in 16 games since December.
- Fell from title candidate to 6th place.
- The Champions League dream is about to burst.
2. Supporters have lost faith
- Maresca has criticized the fans.
- His cautious, slow style of play irritates.
- Stamford Bridge bows and whistles – which is always a bad sign for a coach.
3. Cole Palmer’s Crisis
- Chelsea’s star player has not scored in 15 games.
- Seems inhibited by Maresca’s system.
- Lost the creativity that made him one of Europe’s best under Pochettino.
4.
- Chelsea have only beaten five English teams twice this season.
- Opponents have figured out how to stop Maresca’s tactics.
- The same pattern as when Leicester collapsed under him last year.
5. Clearlake Capital’s impatience
- €1.4 billion spent on players in three years – without success.
- Still missing a top goalkeeper, a shot-ready striker and real star players.
- Maresca is not getting the potential out of the expensive squad.
With a difficult series of games ahead, and the supporters against him, Maresca’s days may be numbered. Clearlake Capital has shown that it is not afraid to pull the emergency brake – and this time it may be justified.
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