Chelsea have reportedly made a decision on the future of under-fire head coach Enzo Maresca after their dismal 3-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion on Friday evening.
The 2021 Champions League winners were swept aside by the Seagulls in their last Premier League affair, as Kaoru Mitoma's sensational opener preceded a Yankuba Minteh double at the Amex.
Chelsea's early-season form led to suggestions that the Blues could be considered genuine contenders for the top-flight title, although Maresca repeatedly stressed that his side were not yet at that level.
The former Leicester City manager has now been proven correct, as Chelsea are now fighting for their right to even qualify for Europe in sixth place in the table, one point shy of the top four and a whopping 17 below leaders Liverpool.
Maresca's men have only managed to win three of their last 11 matches across all competitions, also being knocked out of the FA Cup in that time, and an ex-Chelsea midfielder has claimed that the 45-year-old would have been sacked by now if Roman Abramovich was at the helm.
Chelsea to stick with Maresca amid troubled form?
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However, The Athletic - via The Mirror - claims that the Chelsea board currently have no plans to part ways with Maresca and have thrown their support behind the Italian coach.
Todd Boehly and co are said to be pleased with how the team has progressed under Maresca's leadership this season, and they even believe that the 45-year-old has exceeded expectations in his first season.
There was supposedly no pressure on Maresca to qualify for the Champions League this season after Mauricio Pochettino only achieved Conference League qualification, and there is therefore a view that he has been over-performing.
Chelsea qualified for the knockout stage of the Conference League in first place in the league table, as Maresca masterminded six wins from six in Europe's third-tier competition during the first phase.
The former Leicester boss has won 21, drawn seven and lost nine of his first 37 matches in charge of Chelsea, and his contract does not expire until the end of the 2028-29 season.
Should Chelsea stick with Maresca?
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The switch from Abramovich to Boehly did not end the hire-and-fire culture at Chelsea, evidenced by the new board giving the boot to Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Pochettino in quick succession.
The latter's departure was particularly surprising after he oversaw a revival that got Chelsea into Europe, not to mention his astounding work with Cole Palmer, but the Blues have now committed to Maresca for the long-term.
The 45-year-old would be in line for a significant severance package if he was to be sacked given that his contract runs for another four-and-a-half years, and the club are apparently sympathetic to his situation in terms of injuries.
Maresca is currently working without Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu, meaning that his next best thing up front is Christopher Nkunku, who is yet to demonstrate that he can play the number nine role consistently.
If Chelsea finally address their striker problems for the 2025-26 season, when Maresca's squad will also be older and likely a little less bloated, they should continue to make great strides under the Italian's wing.
Ben Knapton
