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ENZO MARESCA EXPLAINS WHY CHELSEA SIMPLY AREN’T TITLE CONTENDERS THIS SEASON.

Chelsea's inconsistency continues as a stoppage-time winner sees them lose 2-1 to Sunderland. Manager Enzo Maresca laments his young team's lack of consistency, ruling them out of the Premier League title race.

Enzo Maresca explains why Chelsea simply aren’t title contenders this season.
Enzo Maresca delivers honest verdict on Chelsea’s fading title chances - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca explained why the Blues would not "be there" in the Premier League title battle while bemoaning his team's lack of consistency.

Sunderland won 2-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, and Maresca's team was stung by a stoppage-time winner. Alejandro Garnacho's first goal in the fourth minute put the recently promoted visitors down, but they were able to contain their hosts after that.

The struggling head coach of Chelsea would acknowledge that there was "a lack of inventiveness." Wilson Isidor gave Sunderland an equaliser in the first half with a long throw, and Chemsdine Talbi's first goal for the team in the 93rd minute gave them all three points.

The outcome—and performance—was especially disheartening considering Chelsea's strong play going into Saturday's match. The west London team broke the Champions League record on Wednesday by crushing Ajax 5-1, earning their fourth consecutive victory.

However, Chelsea was unable to sustain that form in what has become a concerning trend. "You need consistency if you want to be there," Maresca remarked after the game. "It demonstrates that after winning four straight and today's [outcome]."

"It is probably better to have something in between, to be always in the same way, if we can have that level [Maresca stretched his hand towards the ceiling] and this level [dropped the same palm towards the floor]."

One possible explanation for Chelsea's form swings is their hiring practices. Every record that was broken was connected to age, even though they were showered with praise following their victory over Ajax in the middle of the week. A painfully young squad will inevitably have highs and lows.

But two of Chelsea's oldest players worked together to give Sunderland a completely preventable victory.

In the last moments of the match on Sunday, 26-year-old Trevoh Chalobah pushed Brian Brobbey back into Chelsea's half. The oldest member of Maresca's team, Tosin Adarabioyo, 28, joined him, but Sunderland's striker did not see another pair of red and white stripes.

Chalobah seemed curiously unconcerned; she was more interested in gaining a clear view of the goal than in stopping it while Tosin was jockeying Brobbey. Talbi had enough space to strike the ball into the bottom corner after the Dutch forward waited long enough to lay it off.

Maresca groaned, "That can be an easy problem." "The striker is facing his own goal, and we were two against one." The situation is simple to defend. If so, we must perform better.

Chelsea's manager was furious with the team's overall performance. He grumbled, "We were not good enough, and the consequences can be harsh in the Premier League." "It is crucial to avoid losing when you are unable to win."

LIAM ROSENIOR’S "DETAILED TALKS" WITH CHELSEA LEADERSHIP REVEAL AGGRESSIVE SUMMER TRANSFER STRATEGY

Liam Rosenior confirms no Chelsea players want to leave, including Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer, despite UCL exit.

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Liam Rosenior is currently engaged in thorough discussions with Chelsea’s leadership about their plans for the summer transfer window. Interestingly, none of the players has approached him expressing a desire to leave.

After Chelsea’s exit from the Champions League last-16 against Paris Saint-Germain, speculation swirled around Enzo Fernandez’s future, while names like Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo have also been linked with moves away since Rosenior took charge in January. Ahead of their trip to Everton, Rosenior addressed questions about possible departures if the team misses out on Europe’s top competition again. He also spoke about the ongoing efforts to bring new players in.

“We're having very detailed talks about where we need to strengthen,” he said, referring to conversations with the sporting director team, headed by Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart. “I’ve shared my thoughts on what’s needed, and we’re mostly aligned on the approach, which is encouraging. But the priority is also handling the present properly. It’s crucial to be in a good spot now. Planning is important, but so is winning in the moment. That’s why I’m here, and I’m having positive discussions with ownership and the sporting directors about it.”

Rosenior emphasised that key players like Enzo Fernández want to remain at Chelsea. After Fernandez’s recent interview with ESPN Argentina, where he was noncommittal about his future following the heavy loss to PSG, Rosenior reached out to him personally.

“Our plans don’t hinge solely on qualifying for the Champions League; there are many variables,” Rosenior explained. “We need to make the best of the situation we’re in and stay as strong as possible. I maintain a close relationship with the players; we talk beyond football about their families and their lives. I’m particularly close with Enzo and the others. Since I arrived, no one has told me they want to leave in the summer. The focus is really on improving together as a team and figuring out what it takes to win right now.”

When asked specifically if that applies to Fernandez, Palmer, and Caicedo, Rosenior was clear: “They love it here.”

WHY ENZO FERNANDEZ REFUSES TO COMMIT TO CHELSEA’S FUTURE PROJECT

Enzo Fernandez has sparked Chelsea exit fears after refusing to commit to his future following a 2-8 defeat to PSG.

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Chelsea fans barely had time to process a brutal 8-2 Champions League thrashing by PSG on Tuesday when vice-captain Enzo Fernandez stirred things up even more. ESPN Argentina asked him about his future, and instead of assurance, Fernandez left everyone guessing about whether he’d still be at Stamford Bridge next season.

His answer? “I don’t know. There are eight games left, and the FA Cup. There’s the World Cup, and then we’ll see.” Not exactly what supporters needed to hear after a rough night. Honestly, Enzo, now’s probably not the best time for uncertainty.

People have been gossiping about Fernandez’s next move for a while now. Real Madrid and PSG keep cropping up as possible destinations, despite Chelsea sources insisting they won’t sell him. He’s locked into a contract until 2032, but if he pushes for an exit, who knows if that changes.

Fernandez holds a hefty price tag of £107 million; when he arrived in January 2023, it was a British record at the time. He’s backed it up this season, stacking up 12 goals, 6 assists, and playing more minutes than anyone else on the squad.

Still, Chelsea has been searching for someone who can play that No. 10 role where Fernandez has spent most of the season. Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is on their wishlist, though nothing’s happened yet. Rogers, 23 and once a Manchester City academy kid, has been lighting it up at Villa lately. He signed a contract extension in November, but rumours about his future just won’t die.

Rogers is definitely on Chelsea’s radar. If Fernandez leaves this summer, and really, that’s still wide open; Rogers could be a target.

You can expect Chelsea to be busy in the market soon. They need a centre-back after missing out on Jeremy Jacquet in January. Douglas Luiz was briefly considered but wound up at Villa, so midfield is still in the mix. Plus, given their attacking troubles this season, they’ll be looking to upgrade up front too.

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