Maresca took the helm at Chelsea this summer after successfully guiding Leicester City to promotion. His tenure at Stamford Bridge started well, with the team even being mentioned as potential title contenders around Christmas. ..Continue Reading
However, the Blues have since slipped down the standings and now find themselves in 7th place going into the midweek fixtures, just four points clear of Fulham in 10th.
Chelsea’s disappointing form, with only two wins in their last ten league matches, has placed Maresca under significant scrutiny.
Pundit Paul Merson suggests that Maresca could face the sack if Chelsea fails to secure six points from their upcoming games against Leicester and Southampton.
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.
“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 shared his thoughts on the reasons behind Cole Palmer’s recent decline in form. Before the New Year, the England star had netted 12 goals and provided six assists in the league.
However, since the start of 2025, Palmer’s form has dipped, which has coincided with Chelsea’s struggles. He has only managed to score twice in this period.
He added: “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.”
