01 Jan 2026 17:35:42
Three main reasons for Maresca leaving the club, firstly it is a results driven game, win matches and you have credit in the bag, lose matches and that credit lessens, lose too many matches you are expected to win and you are out, second reason is because there have been disagreements behind the scenes about return-to-play protocols for injured players. Chelsea have an independent medical department who have the final say. From Chelsea's point of view, their head coach will never have the final say when it comes to that as they want to protect the players and try to curb the amount of injuries which have piled up over the past few years, Maresca wanted to play Fofana and Palmer in every game recently but the medical people said no.
The final reason, from Chelsea's perspective, is Maresca being linked with other jobs like Juventus and Manchester City. There may have been a sense from inside the club that these links were a distraction and coincided with a dip in form and results.
There have been clues that not all has been well behind the scenes, such as Tuesday night when Maresca did not hold a post-match press conference after the draw with Bournemouth because, we were told, he was ill.
It has added to a sense of volatility at the club but the sense is that things have not been right at the club for some time.
01 Jan 2026 18:49:48
RPD, I enjoyed your post a lot and I found myself agreeing with most of your assumptions.
01 Jan 2026 23:10:17
I think maresca was lucky to stay in the job
Last year
He won the club world cup we played well in the final other than that we were ordinary
Conference cup really a club of our size should never of been in it in 1st place and yes we won it but it's a mickey mouse cup of the highest order
European mid table trophy to generate money
would be a better name for it
Yes we got top 4
Man u were woeful
And we wouldn't of been top 4 if Notts forest hadn't rubbish there pants
Everyone says he didn't get players he wanted
But surely he wanted dewsbury hall there is no way we would of bought him otherwise
His subs were just plain weird
His team selections have been very weird at times
He never changed system
Players often looked flat and disinterested
Overcoached almost my way or the highway
That's OK but we have so many flair players and that mustn't suit them being restricted buy tactics held back almost
And playing players out of position why when we have a 649 man squad
James in midfield
Gusto left back
But my big 1 is and il probs get dogs abuse
PALMER
Is definetly better on right wing than in the 10.
02 Jan 2026 05:04:12
Hbih, I think KDH was becoming a good member of the squad and one we may regret selling at some stage.
I was critical of the EM almost rigid tactical approach for the majority of last to season and was only towards the last ten games ish and when we became more tactically flexible we started to pick results and qualify for the Champions League.
There was only one team that in my opinion performed well in the premiership last season and that was obviously Liverpool. I had us finish 3rd-5th so I was happy enough with our final finishing position. As I said in my usual end of season summary. I think he deserved another season, mainly because of the team’s performance over the last ten ish games.
The Palmer debate will be interesting and I wonder what the next manager will see has his best position.
02 Jan 2026 17:01:22
Palmer in my eyes is excellent in both positions, but if I had to pick one I think he is better on the right.
02 Jan 2026 18:56:27
Maresca was planing on leaving. He changed his agent recently. His inverted full backs will never work anyway. Can’t wait to see our wingers have some back up now, see some over lapping runs.
02 Jan 2026 19:09:47
BLUEBOY, I am not confident on the chosen tactics of any future manager.
06 Jan 2026 07:08:56
RPD, sure you really don't understand the reason why maresca left. The game being a result game is just delusion. Ambition is mainly the reason for me as the owners want a post dated success on the pitch but maresca wants to win now by having the capable players, but the owners want to intimidate him through irrelevant positions and he chose to walk away.
What maresca fought for is what everyone will be fighting against in a few months. The owners have suddenly lowered Chelsea's ambitions selfishly. They force players on maresca and expect magic. They won't want an established manager now because no manager that knows his worth will accept to work in such circumstances.
Saw somebody asking for the return of mourinho and I laughed. Mourinho will expose them and open them the media and public. If only the fans around the globe understand what these guys are doing to Chelsea no one will be attending games on match days. Stop making excuses for the owners they are the real problems and the main reason maresca left.
06 Jan 2026 14:33:37
Tusole, your opinion is just as valid as any other posters opinions.
Can I suggest you read the recent Danny Windsor article. It might just change your views on a few topics.