Chelsea: Enzo Maresca warned he is repeating Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino mistakes after FA Cup exit

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·10 Februari 2025

Chelsea: Enzo Maresca warned he is repeating Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino mistakes after FA Cup exit

Blues managed just one shot on target in a tame FA Cup exit

Enzo Maresca has been warned Chelsea have returned to the “pedestrian passing game” seen under previous managers.

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Chelsea were knocked out of the FA Cup on Saturday night after a 2-1 defeat to Brighton, leaving the Conference League as their only hope of ending the season with silverware.

There was talk earlier in the season about Chelsea making a surprise push for the Premier League title, but a goalless draw with Everton in December started a run of just three wins in ten matches across all competitions.

The Blues have not won away from home in nearly two months and the pressure is building ahead of a swift return to Brighton on Friday night for a Premier League showdown.

Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley criticised the Blues’ lack of urgency as they were knocked out of the FA Cup, suggesting the mistakes made in recent seasons have returned.

“The discussion earlier in the season was whether they could stay in the title race,” Burnley told ESPN.

“We kind of expected them to slip but they’ve slipped back into this Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel pedestrian passing game.

“57 per cent possession – way more than Brighton – but what did they do with it? Absolutely nothing.”

Chelsea managed just one shot on target against Brighton, despite naming a strong lineup at the Amex Stadium. Cole Palmer started alongside Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho, with Christopher Nkunku leading the line.

Nkunku was linked with a January exit before it was ultimately decided that he would stay at the club, but Burley insisted the Frenchman’s £52m move to Chelsea has been a failure.

“There was no cutting edge to the game,” Burley said.

“Palmer has stopped influencing games like he was. Nkunku up front, I mean what a total waste of money he’s been.

“And on top of that they are looking a bit fragile at the back.”