CHELSEA head coach Enzo Maresca has two games to save his job, according to Paul Merson.
The Blues have endured a mixed season under their new boss.
Enzo Maresca is at risk of being sacked, Paul Merson has claimed[/caption]
Having been widely considered title contenders before Christmas, Maresca and Co began dropping down the Premier League table at the turn of the year.
They now sit down in seventh and face competition from Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Newcastle and Manchester City for a Champions League spot.
With the top-four competition so tight, Merson believes Chelsea cannot afford to drop any more points in the coming weeks.
The ex-Arsenal man has even suggested that Maresca could find himself out of the job if they don’t win the next two games.
On Monday, Merson said: “If they don’t win their next two games, the manager won’t be there.
“They’re playing against two of the worst teams to play in the Premier League for I don’t know how long in Southampton and Leicester.
“So, if they don’t win those two games, he will do well to keep his job.
“Chelsea have got to get in the Champions League. They need the Champions League to keep players like Cole Palmer as he will want to play in that competition.
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“They will have to finish in the top five, otherwise I dread to think what’s going to happen. I just don’t see what the plan is.
“All the seven-year contracts and these players are not getting any better. How many of them have been a major success?”
Merson also put forward a theory to explain why Cole Palmer has experienced a drop-off in form.
He continued: “Even Palmer has struggled now, Palmer needs Nicolas Jackson, and Jackson needs Palmer.
“Without Jackson’s movement, Palmer gets suffocated out of the game. He hasn’t got any movement in front of him.
“People give Jackson stick, but you can see how good he is now he’s not in the team.
“Now, all of a sudden, they’ve got nothing up front, so no one’s making the runs and Palmer’s got no space. So he’s getting deeper and deeper. Jackson’s a massive miss.”
Chelsea next host Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening before travelling to Copenhagen in the Europa Conference League next Thursday.
They then return to Premier League action to face Leicester City.
Chelsea player ratings vs Aston Villa
By Graham Hill
BLUES keeper Filip Jorgensen’s awful underarm howler saw Aston Villa come from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 in the Prem.
Enzo Fernandez’s rapid opener inside nine minutes came from Pedro Neto’s stunning breeze past Ian Maatsen.
But the Blues soon fell apart after Man Utd loanee Marcus Rashford’s blistering introduction at half-time.
Rashford provided two assists for fellow January signing Marco Asensio to leave Chelsea in sixth with two Prem wins from nine games in 2025.
FILIP JORGENSEN – 4
Horrible error for Villa’s late winner as Asensio’s shot squirmed under his body and through his gloves- ironically he had made a crucial save before that.
MALO GUSTO – 6
Failed to get a decent touch on Cash’s ball – and that led to Villa’s second half equaliser. Struggled to deal with Rashford’s presence.
TREVOH CHALOBAH – 3
The defender suffered a huge blow as he had to come off after just six minutes clutching his ribs following a challenge from Asensio.
LEVI COLWILL – 6
Found himself with a new central defensive partner early in the game and looked uncertain at times.
MARC CUCURELLA – 6
Defending Chelsea’s left flank was not as troublesome as the right hand side, and the Spaniard looked stylish as Villa applied more pressure.
REECE JAMES – 6
Stepped in for the injured Noni Madueke and took the captain’s armband, had a good battle with Cash.
ENZO FERNANDEZ – 6
Right place, right time to open the scoring, a real threat early on, took a booking for the team, lucky to escape a second.
MOISES CAICEDO – 7
Provided a strong presence in midfield, spotted danger early and halted a number of Villa raids.
His second-half ball should have provided Chelsea with their winner.
COLE PALMER – 6
Largely quiet game but wasted his chance to win the game when he collected a Caicedo through ball – but stumbled – that allowed Konsa to clear the shot
PEDRO NETO – 7
Great work for the opening goal when he left Maatsen standing before crossing to find Fernandez.
CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU- 5
Hugged the left touchline, should have been involved more, not as much of a threat as Neto, subbed with 14 minutes to go.
SUBS
TOSIN ADARABIOYO: (for Chalobah, 6mins) – 6
Needed some time to fit in at the back after Chalobah’s injury.
JADON SANCHO: (for Nkunku, 76mins) – 5
Did little to affect the game after coming on for an ineffective Nkunku.
