Chelsea followers may very well be forgiven for viewing the upcoming 2024/25 Premier League season with greater than just a little trepidation.
With the newest sports activities betting odds ranking Chelsea because the fourth favourites to win the title, expectations are understandably excessive at Stamford Bridge.
Nevertheless, A 4-1 defeat in a pre-season pleasant in opposition to Celtic highlighted the dimensions of the duty dealing with new supervisor Enzo Maresca this time period.
Maresca’s feedback after the dismal Celtic defeat won’t have stuffed followers or sports activities bettors with confidence about Chelsea’s title possibilities.
“Off the ball we have to enhance issues,” Maresca mentioned. “You’ll be able to see generally we confuse when we have to play brief and when we have to play just a little bit longer however that’s a part of the method.
“We maintained a excessive line however when the ball shouldn’t be underneath strain, you have to drop. We’re nonetheless complicated some issues on the ball and off the ball. It’s regular on this second after we are attempting to do one thing new.”
Chelsea dominated possession in opposition to Celtic, however sloppy defending hindered their hopes of securing a much-needed confidence booster forward of the brand new season.
Maresca has insisted the Blues shall be prepared for his or her opening recreation in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, however followers will rightly be nervous in regards to the season forward.
One of many greatest considerations surrounds Maresca’s suitability for the managerial function, with the Italian but to show his credentials within the Premier League.
Whereas he guided Leicester Metropolis again into the highest flight on the first try final season, shut inspection of his document paints a worrying image.
The Foxes gained simply six of their remaining 14 video games within the Championship, leaving lots of their followers questioning his dangerous tactical strategies.
Having constructed momentum in direction of the top of final season, Chelsea’s resolution to interchange Mauricio Pochettino with Maresca was a serious shock.
Co-owner Toddy Boehly has made a sequence of questionable choices since buying the membership and axing Pochettino might show to be one other one.
Chelsea’s scattergun strategy to switch enterprise has proven no indicators of abating this summer time, which has additional fuelled the uncertainty on the membership.
Regardless of this, Maresca’s squad should hit the bottom working when the brand new season will get underway at Stamford Bridge on August 18.
A victory over the reigning champions could be an enormous assertion of intent and provides Chelsea followers hope that the membership can get pleasure from a productive marketing campaign.
After splashing the money over the previous few switch home windows, it’s crucial that Chelsea reveal they are often real title contenders.
Man Metropolis supervisor Pep Guardiola claimed final November that Chelsea could be preventing for titles once more quickly, and the membership should dwell as much as these expectations.
Some followers might argue that forcing their means again into the highest 4 would symbolize progress and a powerful case will be made for this.
Nevertheless, given the funding made within the squad since Boehly arrived at Stamford Bridge, something lower than a title problem would represent failure.
