The Reason Why Chelsea’s Season Is Falling Apart
One month ago, Chelsea were firmly in the conversation as surprise title contenders. Now, after a five-game winless streak in the Premier League, their top-four hopes are in serious jeopardy. What went wrong for Enzo Maresca’s side, who seemed to be defying pre-season predictions of another transitional season?
Warning signs always present
Chelsea’s early-season form surprised many. Their blend of youthful exuberance and tactical discipline had them within striking distance of leaders Liverpool. Maresca, in his debut Premier League campaign, was hailed for instilling cohesion in a team that had previously felt disjointed.
Yet cracks were visible even then. The Blues’ defensive frailty lingered, with Maresca forced to patch up a backline bereft of leadership following Thiago Silva’s summer exit. Levi Colwill, a supremely talented but still-developing 21-year-old, was suddenly thrust into a leading role, forming a short-lived partnership with Wesley Fofana before yet another injury sidelined the Frenchman.
The warning signs weren’t limited to the defense. While Chelsea looked potent in attack, reliance on a few key players, like Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson, masked their lack of squad-wide consistency.
Game management woes
One of the biggest criticisms leveled at Maresca has been his questionable in-game decisions. A recurring theme in recent matches has been his reluctance to use substitutions effectively. In Chelsea’s Boxing Day loss to Fulham, Marco Silva’s double substitution turned the game, while Maresca’s sole change – replacing Jackson with Christopher Nkunku – failed to stop the tide.
Fatigue is visibly creeping into a squad that should theoretically benefit from the mass rotation Maresca deployed in their Europa Conference League campaign. Yet, the same issues have plagued them: late-game collapses, missed opportunities, and a team that often looks overrun in the final stages.
Transfer troubles return
Despite trimming the bloated squad inherited by Maresca, Chelsea’s transfer strategy continues to raise eyebrows. Christopher Nkunku, a marquee summer signing, has struggled for consistency and is now rumored to be on Bayern Munich’s radar. Meanwhile, Trevoh Chalobah was recently recalled from a loan at Crystal Palace – a move that appeared chaotic and reactive rather than strategic.
Add to this the decision to let Matz Sels, one of the Premier League’s standout goalkeepers this season, leave sister club Strasbourg for Nottingham Forest, and questions about Chelsea’s recruitment strategy resurface.
Too young, too soon?
Chelsea’s youthful squad has shown flashes of brilliance but also betrayed its inexperience. Palmer has been a revelation, but even he drifts in and out of games when Chelsea need him most. Jackson’s early-season form has tapered off, with his wastefulness in front of goal proving costly.
Meanwhile, players like Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, handed the captain’s armband in Reece James’ absence, are being asked to shoulder responsibilities beyond their years. Maresca himself, still finding his feet in top-flight management, is learning the hard way that youthful exuberance alone doesn’t win games.
What’s next for Chelsea?
Chelsea’s race for Champions League qualification has intensified. Newcastle and Nottingham Forest are surging, while Manchester City remain a lurking threat. With little margin for error, Maresca and his young squad must grow up quickly.
The Blues face Wolverhampton next, a must-win game to halt their slide. For a team built on ambition, a failure to secure Champions League football would not only be a setback but could spark further scrutiny on a project that still feels like it’s searching for its foundation.
