Chelsea’s disappointing FA Cup exit at the hands of Brighton has reignited growing concerns over the club’s long-term direction and sporting project under Enzo Maresca.

Despite taking an early lead through a fortunate Cole Palmer cross that found the net after a mistake from Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, the Blues once again failed to maintain control of the game. This recurring inability to build on leads or manage matches effectively has become a hallmark of their performances in recent weeks.

The post-Christmas slump shows no signs of slowing down, and frustrations are mounting as minor issues snowball into “big-picture fears” about the club’s overall trajectory. While a strong run of form in the autumn briefly silenced critics, Chelsea’s recent struggles have brought those doubts back to the forefront.

For a club in the midst of a rebuild, progress and momentum are crucial. Yet, “the illusion that this group is coming together into a coherent whole is dissipating” with each passing week. The excuses that once shielded the team from criticism are wearing thin: the bloated squad has been trimmed, new signings have had time to settle, young players have gained valuable experience, and the first team remains fresh after regular midweek rests. Moreover, Enzo Maresca has had eight months to implement his tactical philosophy.

So, “what excuses remain for those in charge now?”

The decision to sack Mauricio Pochettino was framed as “one step backwards to go two steps forward,” but as the season progresses, that gamble looks increasingly questionable. The promising signs of progress at the end of last season have all but faded, with Maresca seemingly riding the momentum of that brief period rather than building on it.

While recent wins over West Ham and Wolves have kept Chelsea from plunging into full-blown crisis mode, the sense of an impending collapse feels “inevitable.” With the FA Cup and Carabao Cup exits now behind them, and only the UEFA Conference League offering a slim chance at silverware, the pressure is mounting on Maresca and the club’s hierarchy to turn things around before the season unravels completely.