Despite a dip in form and growing fan frustration, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is calling for patience, insisting the club is still on the right path under his leadership.
Speaking ahead of the second leg of their UEFA Conference League quarter-final against Legia Warsaw, Maresca acknowledged the pressure after Chelsea dropped to sixth in the Premier League following a frustrating 2-2 draw at home to relegation-threatened Ipswich.
That result left the Blues on the outside looking in for Champions League qualification, and with only the top five guaranteed a spot, Maresca’s possession-heavy philosophy is under fresh scrutiny from supporters.
But the Italian manager, who joined this season with high expectations, is asking fans to look at the bigger picture.
“I think fans have to trust us — trust the team and the club in what we are doing,” Maresca said on Wednesday.
“We’ve spent most of the season in the top four. That’s proof the team is improving and heading in the right direction.”
Chelsea have managed just five wins in their last 16 league games, with fans at Stamford Bridge recently voicing discontent, especially around the team’s conservative build-up play.
In a surprising moment, Maresca even hinted that fan tension may have pressured goalkeeper Robert Sanchez into playing long, contributing to Ipswich’s second goal.
The Blues finished 12th two seasons ago and 6th last season — and while this year hasn’t seen them reach title-challenging form, Maresca believes progress is still clear.
“Is it enough? No,” he admitted. “I want to fight for the Premier League and the Champions League. But realistically, this team is improving. The numbers show it.”
With a 3–0 advantage from the first leg against Legia Warsaw, Maresca is expected to rotate heavily ahead of a crucial Premier League clash with Fulham on Sunday.
And if he can bring home silverware in Europe, it might just help turn the tide of opinion in his favor.
