Paul Merson insists that it’s crucial for Chelsea to qualify for next season’s Champions League if they want to keep their star players.
Maresca, who joined Chelsea from Leicester last summer, started off strongly at Stamford Bridge, with his team looking like title contenders by mid-December.
However, a dismal run of just two wins in 10 games has altered the scenario, leaving them seventh in the table, albeit just a point behind Manchester City in the top four.
Additionally, Chelsea were eliminated from the FA Cup by Brighton, although they remain strong favorites to win the Conference League.
Despite their significant issues in attack and defense, Chelsea have a chance for some relief when they face bottom-of-the-table Southampton on Tuesday and second-bottom Leicester on Sunday.
Merson believes that these fixtures could intensify the pressure on Maresca, predicting sensationally that the Italian coach will be sacked if he fails to secure all six points.
‘If they don’t win their next two games, the manager won’t be there,’ the Arsenal legend and boyhood Chelsea fan told Sky Sports.
‘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.
‘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? Bar Palmer, I don’t see any major successes at Chelsea.’
The Blues have already defeated the Saints and the Foxes earlier in the season, and despite their recent struggles, they are expected to secure victories again, as both opponents seem destined for an immediate return to the Championship.
Southampton have managed just two wins out of 26 games, boasting the league’s lowest goal tally while conceding the most goals.
Meanwhile, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s appointment has exacerbated Leicester’s woes, with the team losing 10 of their last 11 league matches and scoring just four goals during that period.
Due to the strong performances of English clubs in Europe this season, a top-five finish in the Premier League should suffice for Champions League qualification.
Arsenal and Liverpool appear likely to secure their spots, but with just eight points separating the next seven clubs, Chelsea will be battling it out with Nottingham Forest, Man City, Newcastle, Bournemouth, Villa, Brighton, and Fulham for a place in the top five.
