Maresca: Chelsea's 4-1 Win Hid Underlying Issues

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Post on Oct 25, 2024

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Maresca: Chelsea's 4-1 Win Hid Underlying Issues

Chelsea's thumping 4-1 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday might have appeared a convincing performance, but former Chelsea midfielder and current Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca has highlighted some underlying issues that need addressing.

While the Blues secured a comfortable win thanks to goals from Mykhailo Mudryk, Nicolas Jackson, Raheem Sterling, and a late penalty from Conor Gallagher, Maresca, who played for Chelsea under Jose Mourinho, believes the performance wasn't as dominant as the scoreline suggests.

Lack of Control in Midfield

"Chelsea had a very good result, but I think they struggled a bit in midfield, especially in the first half," Maresca told the media. "They didn't control the game as well as they could have. Bournemouth pressed well and created some chances."

Maresca's observations are particularly pertinent considering the heavy investment Chelsea made in their midfield this summer, bringing in players like Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. The Blues are still finding their rhythm under new manager Mauricio Pochettino and are yet to truly dominate games the way they did under previous managers like Thomas Tuchel.

Defence Needs to Be More Consistent

While Chelsea’s attack is looking potent with players like Mudryk and Jackson finding their feet, Maresca also raised concerns about the defense. "The team looked a bit shaky at times in the second half," he pointed out. "They need to be more consistent and organised at the back."

The introduction of Levi Colwill, who is still developing as a young defender, has added another layer of complexity to Chelsea's backline. The team still needs to find the right balance between attacking intent and defensive solidity.

Pochettino's Vision Takes Time

Despite the concerns, Maresca believes in Pochettino's vision for the team. "It's still early days for Mauricio, and he's trying to implement his style of play. It takes time to build a winning team, and I'm sure they'll get better as the season progresses."

While the 4-1 victory was a positive result, Maresca's observations provide a valuable insight into the challenges Chelsea face. The team must address their midfield control and defensive consistency to truly challenge for trophies this season. Pochettino's journey to building a cohesive and dominant Chelsea team will be one to watch.