With just one match left to play, Chelsea Football Club stands on the edge of history. One final step remains in what has become a surprising and spirited run in the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup. After a clinical and commanding 2–0 win against Fluminense in the semifinals, attention now turns to the bigger picture.
But I guess since that will be our last game of the season, it is only fair to rate him now because regardless of the outcome of the final game which is the Club World Cup final, this Rating wouldn’t be too much off.
And how would I rate the man in charge, Enzo Maresca? I will start by saying that he hasn’t won over everyone just yet. There are some that are still pessimistic and doubtful of his abilities. Meaning he still has a look to do to prove them wrong or gain their confidence.
But for me, someone who has been a fan of him from day one, I would love to say that Enzo Maresca’s time at Chelsea has been anything but smooth. It has been a season of tension, questions, criticism, and finally, cautious hope. From moments of brilliance to stretches of inconsistency, Maresca has walked a difficult road. Yet here we are, with the Club World Cup final within reach and a fanbase slowly regaining belief.
So, how do we rate him?
Let’s be fair. Let’s be honest. Let’s speak as fans who have watched every twist of the journey, felt every late goal, and argued over every team sheet.
On a scale of one to ten, Maresca earns a 7.5. Not perfect. It’s not a disaster. A strong, resilient, and honest 7.5. Because if we are being truthful, he has done well in a job that has chewed up and spat out bigger names than his.
A PROMISING START AND THE DECEMBER DIP
Maresca’s Chelsea began the season like a side with something to prove. The football was quick, clean, and promising. The squad looked confident. Young players were stepping up. There was genuine excitement in the air. At one point, Chelsea sat second or third on the league table. Performances were encouraging. The atmosphere was positive.
But December changed everything.
What followed was a frustrating string of results. Matches that should have been won were either drawn or lost. Even more painful were the games where Chelsea led at half-time and somehow let it slip in the second half. These were not just defeats. They were collapses that cut deep.
Fans had seen this before. Different manager, same heartbreak. The frustration boiled over. Some supporters openly called for Maresca to be sacked. And to be fair, you could not entirely blame them. After going through Tuchel, Potter, Lampard, and Pochettino, many were tired. It felt like another repeat of the same confusion.
TACTICAL QUESTIONS THAT REFUSED TO GO AWAY
Another major source of concern was Maresca’s tactical decisions and squad selection. He has often been questioned by fans and pundits alike for his constant experimentation. It almost became routine for his starting eleven to raise eyebrows before kick-off.
One notable example is his decision to deploy Reece James in midfield during certain matches. While James is versatile and technically gifted, this move has often looked forced. Especially when Chelsea had natural midfielders available on the bench. It did not go unnoticed. Fans could not understand why one of the league’s most explosive full-backs was being used in unfamiliar territory while others were sidelined.
There were also times when players were played out of position with capable replacements watching from the bench. It created confusion. When results did not follow, the criticism only grew louder.
At times, the team looked disjointed, like a collection of talented individuals still trying to understand each other’s roles. Whether it was trying a back three one week and switching to a flat four the next, or tweaking formations that had just started working, it all made Maresca appear indecisive.
But to his credit, he seemed to learn from these moments.
A BIG SQUAD, BIG DECISIONS
One of the first challenges Maresca faced was the sheer size of the squad handed to him. Chelsea had over 40 players, possibly more, at the beginning of the season. But realistically, no team needs more than 25 to 28 players, including academy options, to compete effectively over a season.
This meant Maresca had to make tough decisions. Who stays? Who leaves? And of those who stay, how many were truly up to the task?
To shape the team in his own image, he stamped his authority early. He made some bold and clear decisions. Most notably, he communicated that some senior players like Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell were not part of his plans. This was a message. It was not just about football. It was about control, identity, and vision. And looking back, those calls appear to be paying off.
TURNING THE TIDES: From Chaos to Calm*
Almost quietly, Maresca started getting it right again. With about fourteen matches left in the season, Chelsea began to look like a proper team again. His decisions were sharper. The team selection became more consistent. Defensively, the team tightened up. Going forward, they created more chances and converted them.
Here is what the last fourteen matches looked like:
* Chelsea 2-1 Fulham ✅
* Chelsea 1-0 Everton ✅
* Chelsea 4-1 Djurgardens ✅
* Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool ✅
* Chelsea 1-0 Djurgardens ✅
* Chelsea 0-2 Newcastle ❌ (Jackson red card)
* Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United ✅
* Chelsea 1-0 Nottingham Forest ✅
* Chelsea 4-1 Real Betis ✅
* Chelsea 2-0 LA FC ✅
* Chelsea 1-3 Flamengo ❌ (Jackson red card)
* Chelsea 4-1 Benfica ✅
* Chelsea 2-1 Palmeiras ✅
* Fluminense 0-2 Chelsea ✅
Twelve wins from fourteen. Both losses were games that involved red cards. These were not flukes. These were structured, well-fought wins and a sign of tactical maturity.
WHAT MARESCA HAS DONE RIGHT
Maresca deserves credit for several things.
First, he brought structure to chaos. After years of managerial changes and unclear systems, Chelsea started playing with shape and rhythm. There was visible coaching. There was progress.
Second, he made the hard choices. From trimming the squad to benching big names, Maresca showed courage. He was not afraid to say no, even when it involved established stars. This showed leadership.
Third, he transitioned the team from Pochettino’s system to his own style. This is often underestimated. Taking a team from one philosophy and guiding them into a new identity is hard, especially with a young and evolving squad. But Maresca managed it well despite the turbulence in the middle of the season.
Fourth, his substitutions have been smart and timely. He has turned games with the right changes at the right moments. It is one of the more underrated parts of his work this season.
Fifth, he has managed fragile players well. Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, Badiashile, and Reece James all have histories with injuries. Yet, Maresca has slowly reintegrated them, giving them just enough minutes to build confidence without breaking down. That kind of management shows planning and care.
Finally, even his stubbornness with experiments, though frustrating at times, seems to be bearing fruit. Some systems that did not work in December now look more polished. Some players that seemed out of place have now adapted. That only happens with time and consistency.
WHAT STILL NEEDS WORK
Maresca’s honesty in interviews sometimes backfires. Saying Chelsea were not title contenders when we were second or third irritated fans and pundits. Many saw it as small-minded or lacking ambition. In truth, he may have been managing expectations, but the timing and tone did not help.
There is also a matter of tactical balance. At times, his decisions confused the team and supporters alike. But this too appears to be improving.
Chelsea still needs to tighten up defensively and be more clinical up front. But the signs are there. The foundation has been laid.
MY FINAL VERDICT: A Manager Growing Under Fire
Enzo Maresca is not the finished product. But no honest Chelsea fan can deny that he has held his own in a very difficult job. He walked into a big dressing room with a bloated squad and trimmed it down. He laid down a system, fought through criticism, and somehow ended the season stronger than he started it.
For a club that has had too many false dawns in recent years, Maresca might just be the calm builder we needed. He has made mistakes, yes. But he has learned. And that matters.
Final Rating: 7.5 out of 10. A manager growing under fire, learning on the job, and laying the blocks for something that might just become special.
By Victor Raul Puobabangna Plance from Eggu in the Upper West Region of Ghana
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