
Chelsea’s 2-1 loss to Fulham on Boxing Day has raised serious questions about Enzo Maresca’s in-game management, particularly his reluctance to make effective use of the substitutes at his disposal. While the Blues started brightly, their performance faded in the second half, exposing flaws in the manager’s decision-making.
Cole Palmer, as usual, was a standout performer, putting Chelsea ahead with a brilliant individual goal. Nicolas Jackson also impressed with his movement before being replaced. However, Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho struggled to make an impact from the wings, leaving Chelsea’s attack lacking sharpness as the game progressed.
Despite the need for substitutions, Maresca made just one substitution, bringing on Christopher Nkunku for Jackson. The change failed to make the desired impact, and as the match wore on, it became increasingly clear that fresh legs were needed. The likes of Joao Felix, Tyrique George, and Marc Guiu remained on the bench, unused, leaving fans questioning why Maresca didn’t utilize them to inject energy and creativity into the team.
Fulham capitalized on Chelsea’s lack of urgency, with late goals from Harry Wilson and Rodrigo Muniz completing a remarkable comeback. In contrast to Maresca’s conservative approach, Fulham manager Marco Silva made bold substitutions that turned the game in his side’s favor, underscoring the value of proactive in-game adjustments.
Maresca’s failure to act decisively with substitutions ultimately cost Chelsea. As the Blues push for success this season, Maresca will need to learn from this defeat and ensure his tactical decisions match the high standards expected at Stamford Bridge.