Chelsea’s Challenges: Navigating a Rocky Season Amidst High Expectations

Chelsea’s emphatic 3-0 victory against Barcelona at home in the Champions League at the end of November was anticipated to signal the dawn of a new era. A subsequent 1-1 draw against Premier League leaders Arsenal, achieved while playing with ten men for much of the match, seemed to reinforce that belief. The promising young players appeared to be maturing, yet this optimism proved to be another false dawn.

After a disappointing December, Chelsea currently occupies fifth place in the Premier League table. While this position might not be alarming under normal circumstances, the expectations heading into the final month of 2025 have left fans feeling underwhelmed. Furthermore, Maresca’s team has slipped to 13th in the Champions League standings, languishing below rivals Tottenham and Newcastle after a loss to Atalanta, just weeks after defeating Barcelona.

Since their 2-0 victory against Burnley at Turf Moor on November 22, Chelsea has managed only one win in their last seven Premier League matches, accumulating a meager seven points out of a possible 21. The gap to Arsenal, whom many Blues supporters believed they could compete with after their recent meeting, has now widened to a daunting 15 points.

Chelsea’s two draws against Bournemouth epitomize their ongoing struggles. The 0-0 stalemate at Vitality Stadium was largely forgettable, lacking meaningful chances from either side, while the chaotic 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge showcased the team’s inconsistency. For a squad assembled at great expense, their performance remains erratic.

The youthful core that Chelsea’s BlueCo ownership and recruitment team have assembled still notably lacks leadership. Currently, Maresca’s side sits at the bottom of the Premier League’s fair play table, having accumulated 34 yellow cards and four red cards.

Nicolas Jackson, once seen as a key disciplinary issue, has since been loaned to Bayern Munich, but the team’s problems have persisted, with Moises Caicedo now emerging as a new offender. His fourth-minute booking in Tuesday’s draw marked his fifth yellow card of the season, resulting in a suspension ahead of a crucial match against Manchester City. This will be his second ban of the domestic campaign, having previously missed three matches after being sent off against Arsenal.

While Maresca may have privately acknowledged the need to address these issues, his public statements may have inadvertently encouraged the players to continue their troubling habits.

A year ago, Chelsea found themselves in a similar slump, having climbed to second in the league, just two points behind eventual champions Liverpool. They demonstrated potential to transition from top-four contenders to genuine title challengers but instead became one of the first teams to talk themselves out of a title race. From mid-December to the end of February, they won just two out of ten Premier League games. This recurring pattern is becoming a tradition of disappointment for Chelsea fans during winter months.

Additionally, Chelsea struggles with a poor defensive record on set pieces, despite establishing a dedicated department led by former Brentford dead-ball expert Bernardo Cueva Martinez. They have conceded a league-high four goals from long throws this season.

Chelsea has dropped more points from winning positions at home than any other team, contributing to their reputation for vulnerability. While Maresca should be held accountable for these shortcomings, one must wonder if he can truly be blamed for failing to cultivate a resilient culture when the club emphasizes long-term results.

Ultimately, Chelsea’s woes stem from a lack of top-tier talent. Despite significant financial investment aimed at rebuilding the squad, too many average players remain. While standout talents like Cole Palmer and Caicedo are evident, the rest of the squad appears to lack the quality to compete effectively.

Questions arise regarding the effectiveness of new signings like Liam Delap and Joao Pedro compared to the departed Jackson, as well as the differences in quality between players such as Pedro Neto, Alejandro Garnacho, and Jamie Gittens versus Noni Madueke, who, after being sold to Arsenal, has quickly become popular at his new club. The uncertainty surrounding the identity of Chelsea’s best centre-back adds to the frustration.

Over 18 months in charge, Maresca has struggled to find a consistent starting XI, making substitutions faster than any other Premier League manager and constantly altering his lineups. This has been a thankless task in an effort to satisfy a diverse roster.

Chelsea was once synonymous with title contention, largely regardless of the manager. Renowned figures like Roberto Di Matteo and Avram Grant achieved remarkable successes due to the exceptional talent available. The current situation is a stark contrast.

In Germany, it is customary for clubs to have directors and other executives accompany the head coach during media interactions. This practice is notably observed at Bayern Munich, where key figures often provide insights beyond the manager’s purview. In his tenure at Tottenham, Antonio Conte expressed frustration at being the sole public face of the club. Maresca has hinted at similar sentiments, revealing a perceived lack of support following defeat to Atalanta, an indication of the challenges he faced.

Chelsea should consider adopting a policy where sporting directors engage with the media alongside the manager. Given the emphasis on recruitment, it is puzzling that figures like Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley seldom appear in public. If Maresca’s position is deemed untenable, accountability should also extend to the recruitment team, as they have spent nearly four years redefining a club identity that increasingly departs from their former winning mentality.

The owners must work to attract a more accomplished manager to navigate a regime characterized by erratic planning under the guise of ‘the project.’ BlueCo has cycled through multiple managers—including Maresca, Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, and Mauricio Pochettino—without achieving the success of prior regimes.

Despite the turmoil, Chelsea’s new manager will find some positives. The race for Champions League qualification remains competitive, and even amid their dismal form, the club’s hopes for a top-four finish remain intact. A Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal lies ahead, albeit with the potential for further challenges.

Ultimately, winning resolves many issues. More than any specific playing style, this has been the hallmark of Chelsea in recent years, which explains the swift decline in fan morale. If the ownership is serious about achieving both short-term and long-term success, they must leverage the January transfer window to acquire experienced players capable of guiding the team through this tumultuous period.

However, the critical question remains: can we trust in Chelsea’s ability to navigate the challenges of the 2025-26 season?