Enzo Maresca’s recent comments ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash against Brighton have raised serious questions about his mentality and suitability for the Chelsea job. The Italian manager, who took over in the summer, admitted that the club never set a top-four finish as a requirement for his first season in charge. Instead, he claims he was given a two-year target to secure Champions League football.
“I said many times the club never told me finish top four this season, they told me finish top four in 2 years,” Maresca revealed.
While patience is important in any rebuild, Chelsea fans have every right to demand a manager who believes in immediate success. This is a club that has historically thrived under managers who set high standards from the very start. The likes of José Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti, and Thomas Tuchel all understood the expectations at Stamford Bridge and embraced them.
Maresca, on the other hand, appears to be setting the bar low despite Chelsea spending heavily in recent transfer windows. His comments suggesting that the team has been “above expectations” this season because they have occupied a top-four spot at various points show a worrying lack of ambition.
“The reason why I’ve been saying we’re above expectations is because we’ve been in top four most of this season,” he added.
Chelsea’s DNA is built on competing with the best, not settling for mediocrity. If Maresca doesn’t believe he can achieve a top-four finish this season, what does that say about his self-belief and ability to manage an elite club? Managers like Pep Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp, and Mikel Arteta would never publicly downplay their ambitions like this.
Maresca tried to soften the impact of his statement, insisting there was “no bad intention” behind his words.
“There’s no bad intention,” he stated.
But Chelsea fans won’t be easily convinced. The Premier League is ruthless, and Chelsea are a club that demands success. If Maresca is already lowering expectations in his first season, what happens if Chelsea struggle next year? Will he then ask for another extension on his objectives?
Ultimately, Chelsea need a manager who truly believes they can achieve greatness—now, not in two years. If Maresca doesn’t think he can lead Chelsea to a top-four finish this season, perhaps he shouldn’t be managing the club at all.