Luke, I totally respect your views and have said so in the past. Reading your article it almost comes across as someone who is sitting on the fence because you could use your arguments /explanations to support Maresca remaining and being allowed to progress the development of the team based upon the achievements of this year. My other point would be that you talk about us being a team that thrive or chaos. I’m not sure personally that’s true. At our best under the errors of Jose Marino and Conte we certainly were not a team of chaos but a team of good structure and organisation plus a high level of control. Overall I lean towards keeping Enzo as one aspect that is not raised in your article as we cannot keep changing our Manager year by year. Thanks for the insight which I do understand.
Indeed. Jose loved control. And he was a very stubborn manager. His reputation is built off that. So I don't see stubborn as an issue in and of itself. He was also basing the team around a strong structure and defensive set up. One of the best examples of that was after the free scoring first half of the 2014/15 season, once we lost 5-3 at Spurs he focused on battening down the hatches to get us more disciplined. And there is a suggestion that Cole Palmer isn't happy in his position. I love Palmer but we are going to have to be realistic that any serious team is not giving the free role he had last season. Pep isn't and someone like Slot, who prefers to be safer than Klopp ever was, isn't. It was a one off in a season where the coach gave limited discipline, exemplified by how many times players wanted to take the ball off Cole for pens.
Let’s also remember that Palmer is dealing with the fact that he is now the focus of a lot of teams in a way he was not last season. This is something he’s going to have to learn to deal with just as Robben and Hazard had to. It is a sign of respect and I believe that with Palmer’s football intelligence it’s only a matter of time before he learns different ways to attack different teams and adjust his play accordingly.
The question is, who comes in if Maresca goes? It will just be another inexperienced up and comer having to essentially learn on the job and we start from square one once again. Our board and directors have made it clear that they do not want a manager that will make a fuss in order to receive backing and want to implement their own ideas. Unless there is a complete overhaul upstairs, and I can't see it personally, sacking Maresca will not only be futile but also counter-productive.
I was 100% Maresca out during the terrible spell, when he was simultaneously talking about what a great season it has been because we were in the top 5 for some of it. We've looked a lot better the last few games but there are still things about him that I don't think I'll ever like. Now though, I think it would be hard not to stick with him if we get CL. With the right additions on the summer he would hopefully be good enough to at least keep us in the CL again next season. From there we'd hopefully have the finances and a settled enough squad for the owners to really start thinking about joining the elite again.
Admittedly I'm being very fickle by changing my opinion on the basis of a brief upturn in form, but I just struggle to see the major benefits of replacing him if the season ends well!
I personally think we need to have a good Summer window and give Maresca another season.
I don’t buy into the idea that whenever we play well it’s the players ignoring the manager and whenever we play poor it’s because they’ve decided to listen to him.
We do have excellent players and Maresca probably does need to be slightly less stubborn sometimes, but again, the idea that he never adapts or changes anything is completely wrong.
This is the closest we’ve been to UCL for a long time and people want to rip it up and gamble on a new manager with absolutely no guarantees.
been seeing that liverpool post match comment a few times now and we’ve gotta let it go man. sure there are some odd things here and there but i do feel like also some of the things he says get misinterpreted or boiled down to a weird conclusion.
Watching the post match back again it’s pretty obvious he was saying that they didn’t want to surrender possession and the game to liverpool, but because they are the champions, they’re going to force their hand either way - and the team was able to adapt to that pressure. he was happy with the team’s performance he did not imply that they didn’t “play the way he wanted” or do something against his wishes. I’d rather him say they wanted to play their game vs liverpool vs they chose to just surrender the ball to the better side. but either way i feel like the first two issues are tied to preconceived notions based on a general dislike of the manager, people have jumped down his throat almost every time he’s spoken.
100%. It’s so easy to dissect these interviews and read them incorrectly. I have to be honest it must be incredibly hard to have to be put in front of cameras 6 to 8 weeks a time and answer innane questions from piss poor journalists, the majority of who cannot come up with a different question or different approach one week to the next. You can see that so many of the Premier League managers are literally going through the motions because they have to.
I have to say I disagree with large parts of this. I've got no idea why people think Maresca is completely stubborn. He's changed things at various points. Of course he has a philosophy, but to suggest he has no pragmatism I think is disingenuous. Of course, when he does change it up people are claiming the players are simply ignoring his instructions. How convenient! The interpretation of his Liverpool game comments again are convenient. People read into it what they want. Of course he wanted more control, we had 35% and dropped right back allowing them to swing lots of balls in for some free headers. I'm not sure anyone was keen on that side of the game. It doesn't mean he's against breaking against teams, it can be about balance. Some of our best performances have been when in control, like against Villa and Brentford at home. In fact, Maresca has referred to transition football in particular parts of games. You only have to see games at home to Bournemouth and against Fulham where we started off in control but fell into a transition game in the second half where we gave up leads and came away with 1 point. Not sure why people see this as black and white. Maresca doesn't like transition, not because he doesn't like our attacks in transition, but the players can't keep a stable structure in midfield or defence to make it sustainable. Loads of games where it's turned into a you attack, we attack game. If we got out of the habit of wanting a manager sacked every 6 months because we're used to impact managers, we might give someone a chance to show the fruits of their labours and tweak players into that system. Remove a manager and its back to square one with just the SDs having a guess.
I concur with your view, Mark. I think a lot of what he said at the weekend after the Liverpool game has misconstrued. I didn’t see him ranting and raving on the touch line because we were playing the way he wanted. I think overall he was happy the way we played he was just making the point that it wasn’t naturally the way he had it planned but it evolved as the game evolved. We need to be careful how we dissect his words because it’s easy that we are understanding them incorrectly rather than the way he is trying to present them
Why are you so against any criticism of the club. We have been very poor since mid December apart from the last 2/3 games when we have abandoned the way we have been playing from Mid December. The goals we have scored in the last 3 dont look anything like the goals before hand. are you telling me with full confidence that Maresca has the ability to take us in to the CL while also balancing the league? It stinks of the same as Ten Hag last year, fans unhappy, players unhappy and been playing badly for ages! This all stinks of give him more time aha
We're talking about Maresca here , not the club. To address the points you make. If these goals are different, then is that not what you want from the manager? The idea that a Maresca goal is somehow only one where we pass it a hundred times before scoring when the oppo have 11 players in their own box seems bizarre to me. Stinks of Ten Hag? What kind of comparison is that? But let's go with that analogy then. Let's sack him and bring in someone who performs even worse like Amorim? You think I'm obsessed with backing the ownership or whatever. But I'd suggest it no more extreme than your position in wanting Maresca out. Maresca out even if he qualifies for the CL and Thomas Frank in? Someone you yourself said you didn't want last season? We have different views. I'm not sure why you seem offended by them. And it's quite clear I'm not the only one on here that holds them, or at least similar ones. And I'm not even massive on Maresca. I don't have evidence that he can make us challenge for titles and the CL. But then I think we are more than one step away form being back, despite what the away fans sung in December. So Maresca can be backed as a means to end. As I say elsewhere, things don't need to be black or white. I want the football to get better and not want Maresca sacked right now. I can't want an elite manager down the line without wanting Maresca sacked right now. I can be wary of another sacking because of the instability within the club and senior players not wanting it. I can be wary of no reality replacement at this juncture. I can be wary of the evidence borne out elsewhere that hiring and firing now isn't the same game it used to be under Roman.
I am talking about Maresca too, for me it is clear that the players have abandoned the Maresca way and it has had a positive effect. He has countless time said how he wants his teams to play slow and backwards and not attack with speed. It is very similar as i said fans dont like him, players dont like him and we are playing badly largely since mid December.
In no way shape or form is my asking for Maresca going anywhere near your blind faith in everything that the club is doing.
So would you like to keep Maresca when big players are unhappy? Would you want to back him to the point where players like Gusto James and palmer want to leave ?
Maresca sets up largely his team and plays the same way every week and has been found out. Everyone is now signing his praises after a snatch and grab win vs Fulham, beating Everton 1-0 after 2 top saves from Sanchez another day its a draw or a lose and beating a heavily rotated Liverpool side who where on the piss all week.
As has been mentioned by others, people are listening in strange ways to what Maresca says. He wants control. He wants calmness of course. The fact that the players can only achieve that through slower passing at the moment is something we need to improve no doubt. And throwing everything out again is not the way not to do it in my opinion.
Blind faith in the ownership? Again your analysis of what I say is quite limited. I have no blind faith in them and the SDs. But I am a realistic. This was th group Roman picked out of a bad bunch. They're here for at least 10 years. So I'm focused on working within that, rather than some fantasy that they're gonna ship out any time soon because the fans kicked up a fuss.
Look, you're set in your view of Maresca, I get it. Every time someone points to evidence of a positive you think it's in spite of him. I can't help that you've blinded yourself with your dislike of him. Quite a few on here are more balanced and can see both sides.
As for me, I have no issue with him going if there is an elite successor coming in that is a real option. But is there? If you think so, tell us who that is?
People think I'm completely pro Maresca and owners whereas I think I'm in between and those that think I'm extreme only view it that way because they are so far one way with the negativity that even a balanced view seems extreme.
He has literally said if Enzo does not pass backward he will be subbed, if Sanchez kicks it long he will be subbed? Not sure how that is listening in a strange way....
I have not once seen you give any criticism of anything they do, you usually jumping on articles like this and disagree with everything the person says. Most of time with 0 facts to support you claims.
I actually couldn't disagree with you more, i think you use some positives to defend him and the club. Put it this way remember that part of the reason you subscribe is for insider information and there is reasons that we have these views that cant always be made public or if they are they diluted down for obvious reasons.
ah yes lets keep mediocrity just because of stability for stability sake and you lack of belief someone else couldn't do better...
I challenge you to come up with 3 things that a criticism's of the manager and of the owners
As i say, you read Maresca far too literally. My advice is don't believe everything you here in a presser and take it as fact. Managers have various reasons for saying what they say, one of them being to defend a player who is getting booed for passing it out from the back. If you are saying you have further information that you can t reveal that supports your argument, I don't know what you want me to say? I can only base it on what is said here and what I hear elsewhere. I'm certainly not just going to believe you because you say there are things you can't tell me. That's not anything personal, it's just logical. You say you never hear my say anything negative about the ownership, but then you must have skimmed over those comments. I said to Si only last week I was 50/50 on Maresca. I have said I am happy for the SDs to go if we can bring in an elite SD like Campos. I criticised Todd for putting together a consortium within which he seems so disconnected and basically brought non football people on board and gave them the majority power. I criticised the appointment of Poch and the sacking of Tuchel. Now maybe I don't take the approach of constant criticism like you currently are, but don't confuse that with unbridled supoort. It simply isn't but just underlines my further point about how balance is viewed.
I'm not sure why you're a bit focused on me subscribing to this site. Having already noted that you find my views appalling and suggested I unsubscribe, the subscription thing has come up again. Not sure it matters why i subscribe. I pay my money like anyone else.
Still, to clarify I subscribe because I followed Si for a while and respect his opinions and him as a person and how he reports on transfers. None of the click bait fancy stuff, just straight up reporting with caveats that things can change. He's been dug out completely unfairly by people on twitter in the past when things change so I respect him for sticking at it and learning about how to carefully report stuff.
That of course doesn't mean I agree with him in everything and I obviously don't on these issues. But there is a difference between disagreeing and losing mutual respect. I never make my disagreements with Si personal and he doesn't with him. I'd say your approach is slightly different. But that's OK. It's football. We're passionate. We're debating how we see the club going forward. It doesn't upset me that you completely disagree.
Taking that quote out of context there, Maresca was saying if Enzo passed it forward when there was no forward pass on then he would sub him off, as he would be needlessly giving away possession. Of course he wants them to play it forward when its on, you obviously need to pass forward to score and he clearly wants to win these games.
Yep the comments after the Liverpool game have been misinterpreted, he said in another interview they didn’t plan to play deep for so long but it can happen against such a good team. For those that think the players went against the manager , palmer in an interview after the game: the manager had a good game plan and we executed it well.
Couldn't agree with you more! I have a massive we have our own Ten Hag here and then who do we get in December next year when we are mid table and out of the CL?
I agree about the style of play and his media presence, but at this point I'm keeping him, especially if he achieves his targets.
1) I think the bigger issue this season has been the squad building. We've needed a proper back-up to Jackson since last season. He hasn't had it. Likewise, goalscoring wingers would have helped carry the load during Palmer's/Nico's dip in form and injury.
2) We're creating plenty of chances, even against low blocks. I think if we get those clinical players up top, all of a sudden this system looks more effective and enjoyable. Goals change games, as they say - normally we should be 2 or 3 goals up by the time we score or concede. Finish those, teams have to come out and play, the game opens up and our individual quality should win out.
3) Defensively we're MUCH better. That's a good foundation to build on.
4) Links back to my first point, but injuries to players like Lavia. I know every squad faces this, but we're a different team with him in the side. Having more midfield depth next season should make him more replaceable, keep Enzo and Caicedo fresher, and help us rotate without suffering as much.
5) I don't think we as fans really know what we don't like - Sarri's football had the same teething problems, but we only saw it for one season. Once everything clicks and we add some more quality to the squad, I feel like it might change, become more enjoyable (easier when we're winning, of course, whatever anyone said.
6) Grass isn't always greener, especially with who we have making the decisions. Next manager might take us back again, or alienate the players we want to keep by creating more change and unrest.
Either way, I hope we have a strong end to the season. At this point, I want to see if Maresca can build on his style and improve us with the right backing and time. Maybe the season after that, we reevaluate.
Spot on I totally agree with everything you’ve said there. If there was an obvious and much improved candidate that was actually obtainable perhaps we could all have a different conversation but currently that doesn’t seem to be and we must stop this merry-go-round of changing the manager every 12+ months. Everyone sees TT with rose tinted spectacles but he wasn’t perfect and as much as the ownership may have made a mistake. TT was quite clear that he did not want to stay and not for the first time pissed off the ownership of the football club.
I think if we actually back him by getting at least a couple of experienced players in the areas needed (NOT MIDFIELD AGAIN) then we can really take big strides
Agreed, like the Leicester fans last season I wouldn't cry if he left in the summer - he's too stubborn, he will end up alienating players like Reece James with his tactics and my biggest worry is as soon as he goes on a bad run next season and we play pass pass pass pass pass football he will be calling out the fans and the fans calling him a wanker and the cycle will continue. Club needs a manager who is not obsessed with his own style but can adapt to the players he has
Completely agree that Chelsea as a club is suited to more a direct, pragmatic style of play. The only question is which manager can come in and elevate us whilst bringing that faster more direct style? And whilst being a strong enough character. We all loved Tuchel but I did find his football, after his first 6 months so in 21/22 season, some of the slowest and most predictable we’ve ever played. Before we hired Poch my number one was Nagelsmann as I think he is adaptable in his tactics, but I can’t see the club going for him now. Curious to see which managers other people think would suit us.
The issue I have Joe is that keeping Maresca because there isn’t an obvious candidate to replace him isn’t a good reason to keep him! Do you see what I mean?
Ranners built that great Chelsea side, Jose added to it the rest is history, Jose has said so many times.
Game and players are different now, mentality is different, then everyone wants to play tic tac keep ball, now seeing a more direct approach and attacking football lights up the game again, football is like life its a circle, it just depends where you stand in that circle, the middle or on the line left or right, however you move you come back around. Maresca needs to move from his spot adapt his game plan or the wheel will turn and he is old news
PS Betis who would've thought Pelligrini and his side kick at West Spam would be reunited in a game, have to say Betis are in form
I do get that. But if you’re going to sack a manager, you surely have to have some idea of who you want in to replace him. If Maresca gets us into CL and wins ECL then I think he’s probably earned the right to remain at the helm, regardless whether we think he is the correct long-term solution (which I don’t currently)
Yes, but I don’t believe Maresca is the man to achieve that.
We have only seen a change in style in the last 3 league games where players openly admitted they stopped playing Maresca’s way and started moving the ball quicker and being fluid with it.
Like I said in my article, if Maresca was to swallow his pride and adopt this style my opinion would change more than likely, but he won’t do that.
The suggestion on tha podcast was Thomas Frank! Christ, a manager that has won a cup with Denmark U17s. If people can't think of anyone relatic to replace a manager, maybe give that manager more than 9 months. Said it elsewhere, people are assessing a project manager as if he's an impact manager. Chelsea survive in chaos? We did, but it took its toll. We went through all the good managers and the best stopped wanting to come here a long time ago, except for Tuchel, where we got lucky with timings. Chelsea never got close to challenging for the league in the lat 5 years of Roman's reign so I'd hardly say we were thriving. We were drifting then.
200% spot on. Half the reason for keeping Maresca is you would have to trust another inexperienced option. Silva and Frank play fairly direct, and Frank seems quite adaptable tactically.
Luke, I totally respect your views and have said so in the past. Reading your article it almost comes across as someone who is sitting on the fence because you could use your arguments /explanations to support Maresca remaining and being allowed to progress the development of the team based upon the achievements of this year. My other point would be that you talk about us being a team that thrive or chaos. I’m not sure personally that’s true. At our best under the errors of Jose Marino and Conte we certainly were not a team of chaos but a team of good structure and organisation plus a high level of control. Overall I lean towards keeping Enzo as one aspect that is not raised in your article as we cannot keep changing our Manager year by year. Thanks for the insight which I do understand.
Indeed. Jose loved control. And he was a very stubborn manager. His reputation is built off that. So I don't see stubborn as an issue in and of itself. He was also basing the team around a strong structure and defensive set up. One of the best examples of that was after the free scoring first half of the 2014/15 season, once we lost 5-3 at Spurs he focused on battening down the hatches to get us more disciplined. And there is a suggestion that Cole Palmer isn't happy in his position. I love Palmer but we are going to have to be realistic that any serious team is not giving the free role he had last season. Pep isn't and someone like Slot, who prefers to be safer than Klopp ever was, isn't. It was a one off in a season where the coach gave limited discipline, exemplified by how many times players wanted to take the ball off Cole for pens.
Let’s also remember that Palmer is dealing with the fact that he is now the focus of a lot of teams in a way he was not last season. This is something he’s going to have to learn to deal with just as Robben and Hazard had to. It is a sign of respect and I believe that with Palmer’s football intelligence it’s only a matter of time before he learns different ways to attack different teams and adjust his play accordingly.
Obi One tapping up Mbuemo 👏 😂
The question is, who comes in if Maresca goes? It will just be another inexperienced up and comer having to essentially learn on the job and we start from square one once again. Our board and directors have made it clear that they do not want a manager that will make a fuss in order to receive backing and want to implement their own ideas. Unless there is a complete overhaul upstairs, and I can't see it personally, sacking Maresca will not only be futile but also counter-productive.
I was 100% Maresca out during the terrible spell, when he was simultaneously talking about what a great season it has been because we were in the top 5 for some of it. We've looked a lot better the last few games but there are still things about him that I don't think I'll ever like. Now though, I think it would be hard not to stick with him if we get CL. With the right additions on the summer he would hopefully be good enough to at least keep us in the CL again next season. From there we'd hopefully have the finances and a settled enough squad for the owners to really start thinking about joining the elite again.
Admittedly I'm being very fickle by changing my opinion on the basis of a brief upturn in form, but I just struggle to see the major benefits of replacing him if the season ends well!
I personally think we need to have a good Summer window and give Maresca another season.
I don’t buy into the idea that whenever we play well it’s the players ignoring the manager and whenever we play poor it’s because they’ve decided to listen to him.
We do have excellent players and Maresca probably does need to be slightly less stubborn sometimes, but again, the idea that he never adapts or changes anything is completely wrong.
This is the closest we’ve been to UCL for a long time and people want to rip it up and gamble on a new manager with absolutely no guarantees.
been seeing that liverpool post match comment a few times now and we’ve gotta let it go man. sure there are some odd things here and there but i do feel like also some of the things he says get misinterpreted or boiled down to a weird conclusion.
Watching the post match back again it’s pretty obvious he was saying that they didn’t want to surrender possession and the game to liverpool, but because they are the champions, they’re going to force their hand either way - and the team was able to adapt to that pressure. he was happy with the team’s performance he did not imply that they didn’t “play the way he wanted” or do something against his wishes. I’d rather him say they wanted to play their game vs liverpool vs they chose to just surrender the ball to the better side. but either way i feel like the first two issues are tied to preconceived notions based on a general dislike of the manager, people have jumped down his throat almost every time he’s spoken.
100%. It’s so easy to dissect these interviews and read them incorrectly. I have to be honest it must be incredibly hard to have to be put in front of cameras 6 to 8 weeks a time and answer innane questions from piss poor journalists, the majority of who cannot come up with a different question or different approach one week to the next. You can see that so many of the Premier League managers are literally going through the motions because they have to.
It’s my article, not Simon’s.
already caught prior and updated, good take debate also
It's Luke's article but agreement about those Liverpool comments.
ah points deducted on my end for not reading. i remember Si mentioning it as well so didn’t catch the nuance, cheers
I have to say I disagree with large parts of this. I've got no idea why people think Maresca is completely stubborn. He's changed things at various points. Of course he has a philosophy, but to suggest he has no pragmatism I think is disingenuous. Of course, when he does change it up people are claiming the players are simply ignoring his instructions. How convenient! The interpretation of his Liverpool game comments again are convenient. People read into it what they want. Of course he wanted more control, we had 35% and dropped right back allowing them to swing lots of balls in for some free headers. I'm not sure anyone was keen on that side of the game. It doesn't mean he's against breaking against teams, it can be about balance. Some of our best performances have been when in control, like against Villa and Brentford at home. In fact, Maresca has referred to transition football in particular parts of games. You only have to see games at home to Bournemouth and against Fulham where we started off in control but fell into a transition game in the second half where we gave up leads and came away with 1 point. Not sure why people see this as black and white. Maresca doesn't like transition, not because he doesn't like our attacks in transition, but the players can't keep a stable structure in midfield or defence to make it sustainable. Loads of games where it's turned into a you attack, we attack game. If we got out of the habit of wanting a manager sacked every 6 months because we're used to impact managers, we might give someone a chance to show the fruits of their labours and tweak players into that system. Remove a manager and its back to square one with just the SDs having a guess.
I concur with your view, Mark. I think a lot of what he said at the weekend after the Liverpool game has misconstrued. I didn’t see him ranting and raving on the touch line because we were playing the way he wanted. I think overall he was happy the way we played he was just making the point that it wasn’t naturally the way he had it planned but it evolved as the game evolved. We need to be careful how we dissect his words because it’s easy that we are understanding them incorrectly rather than the way he is trying to present them
Why are you so against any criticism of the club. We have been very poor since mid December apart from the last 2/3 games when we have abandoned the way we have been playing from Mid December. The goals we have scored in the last 3 dont look anything like the goals before hand. are you telling me with full confidence that Maresca has the ability to take us in to the CL while also balancing the league? It stinks of the same as Ten Hag last year, fans unhappy, players unhappy and been playing badly for ages! This all stinks of give him more time aha
We're talking about Maresca here , not the club. To address the points you make. If these goals are different, then is that not what you want from the manager? The idea that a Maresca goal is somehow only one where we pass it a hundred times before scoring when the oppo have 11 players in their own box seems bizarre to me. Stinks of Ten Hag? What kind of comparison is that? But let's go with that analogy then. Let's sack him and bring in someone who performs even worse like Amorim? You think I'm obsessed with backing the ownership or whatever. But I'd suggest it no more extreme than your position in wanting Maresca out. Maresca out even if he qualifies for the CL and Thomas Frank in? Someone you yourself said you didn't want last season? We have different views. I'm not sure why you seem offended by them. And it's quite clear I'm not the only one on here that holds them, or at least similar ones. And I'm not even massive on Maresca. I don't have evidence that he can make us challenge for titles and the CL. But then I think we are more than one step away form being back, despite what the away fans sung in December. So Maresca can be backed as a means to end. As I say elsewhere, things don't need to be black or white. I want the football to get better and not want Maresca sacked right now. I can't want an elite manager down the line without wanting Maresca sacked right now. I can be wary of another sacking because of the instability within the club and senior players not wanting it. I can be wary of no reality replacement at this juncture. I can be wary of the evidence borne out elsewhere that hiring and firing now isn't the same game it used to be under Roman.
I am talking about Maresca too, for me it is clear that the players have abandoned the Maresca way and it has had a positive effect. He has countless time said how he wants his teams to play slow and backwards and not attack with speed. It is very similar as i said fans dont like him, players dont like him and we are playing badly largely since mid December.
In no way shape or form is my asking for Maresca going anywhere near your blind faith in everything that the club is doing.
So would you like to keep Maresca when big players are unhappy? Would you want to back him to the point where players like Gusto James and palmer want to leave ?
Maresca sets up largely his team and plays the same way every week and has been found out. Everyone is now signing his praises after a snatch and grab win vs Fulham, beating Everton 1-0 after 2 top saves from Sanchez another day its a draw or a lose and beating a heavily rotated Liverpool side who where on the piss all week.
As has been mentioned by others, people are listening in strange ways to what Maresca says. He wants control. He wants calmness of course. The fact that the players can only achieve that through slower passing at the moment is something we need to improve no doubt. And throwing everything out again is not the way not to do it in my opinion.
Blind faith in the ownership? Again your analysis of what I say is quite limited. I have no blind faith in them and the SDs. But I am a realistic. This was th group Roman picked out of a bad bunch. They're here for at least 10 years. So I'm focused on working within that, rather than some fantasy that they're gonna ship out any time soon because the fans kicked up a fuss.
Look, you're set in your view of Maresca, I get it. Every time someone points to evidence of a positive you think it's in spite of him. I can't help that you've blinded yourself with your dislike of him. Quite a few on here are more balanced and can see both sides.
As for me, I have no issue with him going if there is an elite successor coming in that is a real option. But is there? If you think so, tell us who that is?
People think I'm completely pro Maresca and owners whereas I think I'm in between and those that think I'm extreme only view it that way because they are so far one way with the negativity that even a balanced view seems extreme.
He has literally said if Enzo does not pass backward he will be subbed, if Sanchez kicks it long he will be subbed? Not sure how that is listening in a strange way....
I have not once seen you give any criticism of anything they do, you usually jumping on articles like this and disagree with everything the person says. Most of time with 0 facts to support you claims.
I actually couldn't disagree with you more, i think you use some positives to defend him and the club. Put it this way remember that part of the reason you subscribe is for insider information and there is reasons that we have these views that cant always be made public or if they are they diluted down for obvious reasons.
ah yes lets keep mediocrity just because of stability for stability sake and you lack of belief someone else couldn't do better...
I challenge you to come up with 3 things that a criticism's of the manager and of the owners
As i say, you read Maresca far too literally. My advice is don't believe everything you here in a presser and take it as fact. Managers have various reasons for saying what they say, one of them being to defend a player who is getting booed for passing it out from the back. If you are saying you have further information that you can t reveal that supports your argument, I don't know what you want me to say? I can only base it on what is said here and what I hear elsewhere. I'm certainly not just going to believe you because you say there are things you can't tell me. That's not anything personal, it's just logical. You say you never hear my say anything negative about the ownership, but then you must have skimmed over those comments. I said to Si only last week I was 50/50 on Maresca. I have said I am happy for the SDs to go if we can bring in an elite SD like Campos. I criticised Todd for putting together a consortium within which he seems so disconnected and basically brought non football people on board and gave them the majority power. I criticised the appointment of Poch and the sacking of Tuchel. Now maybe I don't take the approach of constant criticism like you currently are, but don't confuse that with unbridled supoort. It simply isn't but just underlines my further point about how balance is viewed.
I'm not sure why you're a bit focused on me subscribing to this site. Having already noted that you find my views appalling and suggested I unsubscribe, the subscription thing has come up again. Not sure it matters why i subscribe. I pay my money like anyone else.
Still, to clarify I subscribe because I followed Si for a while and respect his opinions and him as a person and how he reports on transfers. None of the click bait fancy stuff, just straight up reporting with caveats that things can change. He's been dug out completely unfairly by people on twitter in the past when things change so I respect him for sticking at it and learning about how to carefully report stuff.
That of course doesn't mean I agree with him in everything and I obviously don't on these issues. But there is a difference between disagreeing and losing mutual respect. I never make my disagreements with Si personal and he doesn't with him. I'd say your approach is slightly different. But that's OK. It's football. We're passionate. We're debating how we see the club going forward. It doesn't upset me that you completely disagree.
Taking that quote out of context there, Maresca was saying if Enzo passed it forward when there was no forward pass on then he would sub him off, as he would be needlessly giving away possession. Of course he wants them to play it forward when its on, you obviously need to pass forward to score and he clearly wants to win these games.
Yep the comments after the Liverpool game have been misinterpreted, he said in another interview they didn’t plan to play deep for so long but it can happen against such a good team. For those that think the players went against the manager , palmer in an interview after the game: the manager had a good game plan and we executed it well.
did you see the palmer interview where we said he play forward, free and quicly all things marasca doesn't want?
Yeah, that Palmer comment got largely ignored. Although the responses I did see were along the lines of 'of course he'd say that in public'!
Couldn't agree with you more! I have a massive we have our own Ten Hag here and then who do we get in December next year when we are mid table and out of the CL?
I agree about the style of play and his media presence, but at this point I'm keeping him, especially if he achieves his targets.
1) I think the bigger issue this season has been the squad building. We've needed a proper back-up to Jackson since last season. He hasn't had it. Likewise, goalscoring wingers would have helped carry the load during Palmer's/Nico's dip in form and injury.
2) We're creating plenty of chances, even against low blocks. I think if we get those clinical players up top, all of a sudden this system looks more effective and enjoyable. Goals change games, as they say - normally we should be 2 or 3 goals up by the time we score or concede. Finish those, teams have to come out and play, the game opens up and our individual quality should win out.
3) Defensively we're MUCH better. That's a good foundation to build on.
4) Links back to my first point, but injuries to players like Lavia. I know every squad faces this, but we're a different team with him in the side. Having more midfield depth next season should make him more replaceable, keep Enzo and Caicedo fresher, and help us rotate without suffering as much.
5) I don't think we as fans really know what we don't like - Sarri's football had the same teething problems, but we only saw it for one season. Once everything clicks and we add some more quality to the squad, I feel like it might change, become more enjoyable (easier when we're winning, of course, whatever anyone said.
6) Grass isn't always greener, especially with who we have making the decisions. Next manager might take us back again, or alienate the players we want to keep by creating more change and unrest.
Either way, I hope we have a strong end to the season. At this point, I want to see if Maresca can build on his style and improve us with the right backing and time. Maybe the season after that, we reevaluate.
Spot on I totally agree with everything you’ve said there. If there was an obvious and much improved candidate that was actually obtainable perhaps we could all have a different conversation but currently that doesn’t seem to be and we must stop this merry-go-round of changing the manager every 12+ months. Everyone sees TT with rose tinted spectacles but he wasn’t perfect and as much as the ownership may have made a mistake. TT was quite clear that he did not want to stay and not for the first time pissed off the ownership of the football club.
I think if we actually back him by getting at least a couple of experienced players in the areas needed (NOT MIDFIELD AGAIN) then we can really take big strides
Agreed, like the Leicester fans last season I wouldn't cry if he left in the summer - he's too stubborn, he will end up alienating players like Reece James with his tactics and my biggest worry is as soon as he goes on a bad run next season and we play pass pass pass pass pass football he will be calling out the fans and the fans calling him a wanker and the cycle will continue. Club needs a manager who is not obsessed with his own style but can adapt to the players he has
Completely agree that Chelsea as a club is suited to more a direct, pragmatic style of play. The only question is which manager can come in and elevate us whilst bringing that faster more direct style? And whilst being a strong enough character. We all loved Tuchel but I did find his football, after his first 6 months so in 21/22 season, some of the slowest and most predictable we’ve ever played. Before we hired Poch my number one was Nagelsmann as I think he is adaptable in his tactics, but I can’t see the club going for him now. Curious to see which managers other people think would suit us.
The issue I have Joe is that keeping Maresca because there isn’t an obvious candidate to replace him isn’t a good reason to keep him! Do you see what I mean?
hallelujah, thank you Luke
Ranners built that great Chelsea side, Jose added to it the rest is history, Jose has said so many times.
Game and players are different now, mentality is different, then everyone wants to play tic tac keep ball, now seeing a more direct approach and attacking football lights up the game again, football is like life its a circle, it just depends where you stand in that circle, the middle or on the line left or right, however you move you come back around. Maresca needs to move from his spot adapt his game plan or the wheel will turn and he is old news
PS Betis who would've thought Pelligrini and his side kick at West Spam would be reunited in a game, have to say Betis are in form
I do get that. But if you’re going to sack a manager, you surely have to have some idea of who you want in to replace him. If Maresca gets us into CL and wins ECL then I think he’s probably earned the right to remain at the helm, regardless whether we think he is the correct long-term solution (which I don’t currently)
Not sure "earned the right" comes into it. He's either the right man for the job, or he isn't, and I say ISNT.
For me I just don’t think not having an obvious candidate isn’t a good reason to keep him, that’s the point of an interview process I suppose.
I just don’t think he can take us any further at this stage of his management career
Devil's advocate:
(assuming we finish 5th and win ECL this season) Would you see it as progress if we finish top 4 and progress into knockout stages of UCL next season?
Yes, but I don’t believe Maresca is the man to achieve that.
We have only seen a change in style in the last 3 league games where players openly admitted they stopped playing Maresca’s way and started moving the ball quicker and being fluid with it.
Like I said in my article, if Maresca was to swallow his pride and adopt this style my opinion would change more than likely, but he won’t do that.
The suggestion on tha podcast was Thomas Frank! Christ, a manager that has won a cup with Denmark U17s. If people can't think of anyone relatic to replace a manager, maybe give that manager more than 9 months. Said it elsewhere, people are assessing a project manager as if he's an impact manager. Chelsea survive in chaos? We did, but it took its toll. We went through all the good managers and the best stopped wanting to come here a long time ago, except for Tuchel, where we got lucky with timings. Chelsea never got close to challenging for the league in the lat 5 years of Roman's reign so I'd hardly say we were thriving. We were drifting then.
200% spot on. Half the reason for keeping Maresca is you would have to trust another inexperienced option. Silva and Frank play fairly direct, and Frank seems quite adaptable tactically.