Chelsea: Enzo Maresca out to prove his worth as Blues size up 'perfect' Newcastle

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Evening Standard

·20 December 2025

Chelsea: Enzo Maresca out to prove his worth as Blues size up 'perfect' Newcastle

Blues boss winless in two away to Newcastle since taking over

When reminded by this newspaper on Friday that Chelsea have lost every single away game against Newcastle United since 2021, Enzo Maresca slumped back into his swivel chair and exhaled in exasperation.

The Chelsea manager threw his hands aloft, too, and seemed to be bracing himself for a question that might imply he were responsible for all four of those defeats — which he isn’t. But he was in the dugout for both of the last two.

The anticipated unfair question never came. Instead, would Maresca admit that on Saturday, in their final match before Christmas, Chelsea face one of the toughest away days the Premier League has to offer?

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“Yes, 100 per cent,” came his response. “But not only for Chelsea,” he qualified.

“How many teams have dropped points there? If you see this season, [Manchester] City lost there. Arsenal were losing until the end when they scored twice. So for many clubs it has been a very difficult [ground], because they have good players, a good manager, a good environment. So it’s difficult for any team.”

Chelsea have not had much joy in recent visits to St James’ Park

AFP via Getty Images

A difficult match has become far harder during Eddie Howe’s successful reign at St James’ Park, even if Newcastle — into the Carabao Cup semi-finals along with Chelsea — will still be smarting from their Tyne–Wear derby defeat to newly-promoted Sunderland last weekend, the only goal an almost impressive own goal from Nick Woltemade.

Chelsea have had a number of obstacles and distractions to contend with over the last fortnight. Not only was Tuesday’s scratchy win over Cardiff a first win in five games, manager Maresca has, of course, been in the news for accusatory quotes he would not clarify, and then for being linked with the Manchester City job as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola.

On Friday morning, the inevitable question came. Had these distractions actually been distracting for the manager?

“No, I’m completely focused on Newcastle, to be honest.” And to know how single-mindedly Maresca operates is to know that he was probably telling the truth there.

As far as focusing fully on Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off in a chilly six degrees is concerned, so he should. Chelsea lost to the Magpies at the end of last season in a 12pm Sunday kick-off at St James’ Park where Nicolas Jackson was sent off for elbowing Sven Botman.

Nicolas Jackson picked up an ignominious red card in Chelsea’s last outing at St James’ Park - his final domestic match for the club

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

So the question of whether playing at lunchtime might now somehow be an advantage to Maresca’s side, seven months on, was always destined for some customary swatting away by Maresca. “It’s always difficult,” he said. “Night, day, they are always good.”

Chelsea face a real battle to head into Christmas on the back of what would be a morale-boosting victory in the north east.

Having rested Enzo Fernandez and Reece James against Cardiff, Maresca will no doubt recall the cavalry to help Moises Caicedo contain what the Chelsea head coach believes might just be the “perfect” Premier League midfield. Newcastle would be a lot higher than 12th if they had the quality of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton in every position.

“They all fantastic players, all international players,” Maresca noted. “And the best thing is that they complete each other. They are physically strong, they are good on the ball, so they are 100 per cent complete — perfect.

“So it's very difficult for any team to face them. But we're going to try our best, and try to win the game.”