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Enzo Maresca's endured a nightmare start as Chelsea boss. Will things improve under the Italian or will he be shown the exit door soon - like his predecessors at Stamford Bridge?
Chelsea started their 2024/2025 Premier League campaign yesterday with a 0-2 defeat to defending Champions Manchester City. The Cityzens made it nine wins in 11 meetings since losing the 2021 UEFA Champions League final against the London club.
In what was dubbed the Master Vs Apprentice game, Enzo Maresca's side fell behind after just 18 minutes, courtesy of a goal by Norwegian striker Erling Haaland.
Last season's topscorer was off the mark, scoring his 91st goal in his 100th appearance for City. He easily skipped past Chelsea's defence before firing beyond Sanchez.
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13:07 - 18.08.2024
Who will win the 24/25 Premier League? - Pulse Sports Nigeria analysts give their verdict
Expert football analysts at Pulse Sports Nigeria have had their say on who will be crowned Premier League Champions in the 2024/2025 seasons. Do you agree with them?
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18:50 - 18.08.2024
3 costly mistakes Maresca made in Premier League defeat to Manchester City
Enzo Maresca failed to inspire his Chelsea side as they lost 2-0 to Manchester City in their Premier League opener at Stamford Bridge.
Although Chelsea had the ball in the net, Nicolas Jackson was ruled to be offside when he scored. The Senegalese striker was also guilty of missing some good opportunities during the game.
Maresca's team also had moments of brilliance, even edging City on possession in the first half but it was former Blues midfielder Mateo Kovacic who put the final nail in Chelsea's coffin, in the 84th minute.
Mateo Kovacic made light walk of Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in the middle of the park, before unleashing a long-range bullet past the hapless Sanchez in goal. It was game over!
Why Maresca is destined to fail at Chelsea
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Yes, it is still early days at Chelsea for Maresca who only joined the Blues from Leicester City in July, after guiding the Foxes to the Championship title last season.
However, there are concerns because his Leicester City side stumbled midway through, from February 2023, losing three games in a row, and another two in quick succession in April.
Maresca's Leicester would later finish on 97 points, only piping Ipswich Town to the Championship title by a narrow one point margin.
Coming into this season, during preseason, Chelsea won just one game in six, a 3-0 victory over Club America, losing three and drawing two.
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12:42 - 19.08.2024
Raheem Sterling: Why Chelsea winger’s camp released statement before facing Man City
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13:04 - 17.08.2024
Super Eagles legend Mikel Obi warns of Chelsea doom under Enzo Maresca
Chelsea favourite John Obi Mikel has already lost faith in manager Enzo Maresca ahead of the new campaign
Meanwhile, the over-bloated squad at Chelsea and the many problems arising from such is likely to derail Maresca and his charges this season.
England international Raheem Sterling was left fuming after he was omitted from the matchday squad to face Manchester City. Champions League winner Ben Chilwell has also been told he's surplus to requirement at Chelsea.
Fresh from a racism row against France players after Argentina's Copa America triumph, Enzo Fernandez was handed the captain's armband in the absence of injured Reece James.
Fernandez endured a torrid evening and was one of Chelsea's worst performers on the day. Recall that when Pochettino dropped Fernandez last season the Blues upped the ante and finished the season on a high - in sixth position.
Against City, Chelsea struggled to adapt to the possession-based football favoured by Maresca. Playing out from the back is something Sanchez and the back four are yet to master and this might take a while before they get used to it.
To succeed at Stamford Bridge, Maresca would need Chelsea to be patient with him. Unfortunately, it's one thing the Blues don't have - Pochettino, Potter, Tuchel and a host of other coaches found out the hard way.
Final verdict
Enzo Maresca would be gone by December if he doesn't achieve the desired result in the short run. Unfortunately I don't see this Chelsea team making any significant progress, except something drastic happens.
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