Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has come under fire for what many are calling a self-sabotaging approach to leadership at Stamford Bridge.

Former West Brom and Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker didn’t hold back in his criticism, claiming Maresca’s unwillingness to openly declare Chelsea as title contenders may have triggered the club’s recent downturn.

The Blues started the season brightly, storming through the Europa Conference League unbeaten and racking up an impressive seven straight wins in December. But instead of riding that momentum and setting sights on the Premier League crown, Maresca chose to downplay expectations.

Reo Coker believes Enzo Maresca’s approach may have affected the team’s belief.

“Whether you are a manager or not, you have always got to show ambition,” Reo-Coker said in a scathing assessment. “So the biggest mistake he made was when they were on that great run and he tried to say they weren’t in the title race.”

That moment, according to Reo-Coker, marked a turning point in Chelsea’s campaign. “From then on, it has started to slowly go wrong for them,” he added.

“It’s not good for Maresca and it’s almost like he’s talking himself out of Stamford Bridge because of the response he is getting from fans.”