Chelsea have ‘exceptional’ manager already lined up if they sack Maresca
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca faces more criticism following a frustrating 2-2 draw with Bournemouth that extended the Blues’ alarming slump to just one victory from their last seven Premier League matches.
Stamford Bridge erupted in boos when Maresca withdrew Cole Palmer shortly after the hour mark, with furious chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” directed at the Italian from fans near the dugout.
The chaotic encounter saw all four goals arrive inside a breathless opening 27 minutes.
David Brooks bundled Bournemouth ahead before Palmer’s penalty levelled proceedings following Antoine Semenyo’s foul on the impressive Estevao.
Enzo Fernández rifled home a spectacular effort to complete the turnaround, only for Justin Kluivert to restore parity before the interval when he capitalised on another Semenyo long throw that Chelsea failed to defend properly.
Maresca missed his post-match media obligations due to illness, leaving assistant Willy Caballero to defend the manager’s decision to substitute Palmer despite the player recovering from injury.
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The direction of travel remains deeply concerning for Chelsea, who sit five points worse off than at this stage last season and have dropped 15 points from winning positions throughout the campaign.
Excessive rotation continues plaguing Maresca’s reign, with Chelsea making 55 lineup changes this season — only bottom-placed Wolves have made more than 50.
The starting 11 against Bournemouth was the youngest named in any Premier League match this term, highlighting the squad’s chronic lack of experience and natural leaders capable of steadying performances.
Maresca is now under mounting pressure at Chelsea off the back of a torrid December too, with reports suggesting that Chelsea are making contingency plans in the event they sack the Italian.
Chelsea line up Liam Rosenior as potential Enzo Maresca replacement
One man who is very likely to be a strong candidate for the Chelsea hot seat is Strasbourg boss Liam Rosenior, who impressed at Hull City before joining the French sister club.
While Crystal Palace are believed to be real admirers of Rosenior, Strasbourg being under the BlueCo umbrella would make Chelsea the standout favourites to appoint him.
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Journalist Simon Phillips, writing via his Substack this morning, claims Chelsea already have Rosenior lined up as a replacement for Maresca if the tactician is given his marching orders.
The 40-year-old briefly had Strasbourg competing at the summit of Ligue 1 earlier this season and guided them to European football last term, all while making the very most of his crop, including Chelsea’s surplus players.
The only gripe with him could be whether he is truly ready for a job as pressurized and demanding as Chelsea, but he’s certainly there as a key option.
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