Chelsea’s performance since winning the UEFA Champions League title in 2021 has gone downward. They have failed to qualify for the Champions League in each of the last two seasons.
They are still in the running to finish inside the top four this season, but might not find it easy.
However, their 3-1 win against the Premier League champions Liverpool on Sunday, May 4, has improved their chances of playing UCL football next season.
Chelsea are tied with Newcastle with 63 points from 35 matches, while Manchester City are ahead of them by a point.
Enzo Maresca Might Find It Difficult To Justify a Finish Outside the Top-Four
Maresca has come under a lot of criticism for his inability to utilise the vast resources at his disposal. His team went neck-and-neck with Liverpool at one point in time in the first half of the season, but lost its way thereafter.
Cole Palmer, the talismanic playmaker of the Royal Blues, has scored 15 goals in 42 matches for them.
That might not seem like a bad return, but, keeping Palmer’s form last season in mind, is a little underwhelming.
He scored off a penalty in their win against Liverpool, which was his first goal after going 18 matches without one.
Nicolas Jackson, Chelsea’s regular No. 9, has also had a moderate return of 12 goals in 32 matches. However, it has to be accepted that his performance has been affected by injuries a lot.
Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho have contributed reasonably well on the flanks, but Maresca should demand more from his attacking unit.
Chelsea have scored 62 goals in 35 league matches so far this season, which is the lowest among all the teams in the top five at the moment. Hence, the Royal Blues will look to improve their performance in that respect.
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A Tough Run of Remaining Fixtures for Chelsea
Chelsea will play their next league match against Newcastle United, winning which will give either team a distinct advantage in the race for the top four.
They will then play against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest, neither of which should be an easy match, even keeping Manchester United’s poor form this season in consideration.
Maresca should eye playing in Champions League football next season as a goal in order to prove that he has done a decent job for Chelsea.
That will also enable him to influence transfer decisions in the summer transfer Window. It is up to his players now to make their manager proud and secure.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Action Plus
Recording Date: 04.05.2025