Enzo Maresca Needs a Chelsea Rethink Against Their Oldest Foe | OneFootball

Chelsea supporters will debate who their biggest rival is until the end of time. Arsenal have Tottenham, Manchester United have Liverpool, Real Madrid have Barcelona. Chelsea have several options. Is it their London neighbors or their northern foes?

That debate is as generational as it is geographical. But perhaps there should be wider agreement on a far more persistent enemy — one not defined by a badge, colour, or stadium, yet responsible for years of frustration.

Chelsea’s true rival is the low block. A term that strikes fear into blue hearts and has undermined managers for nearly a decade since the club’s last Premier League title.

A Mystifying Dynamic

Right now, Enzo Maresca faces his biggest hurdle within a confusing Chelsea dynamic. Only a fortnight ago, praise was unrelenting after they overwhelmed Barcelona, followed by a spirited 10-man showing against Arsenal.

The most perplexing part is how the same group then fell to two defeats and a bland 0–0 draw. The mood flipped instantly, though Chelsea’s ability to fail to convince has been one of their few consistent traits this season.

They sit in a fragile Premier League where everyone but Arsenal has stumbled and soared. One week full of life, the next lifeless. This inconsistency is a saving grace for Maresca — a short burst of form can lift you up the table.

But those same conditions carry the risk of a sharp drop. Perspective is needed: Chelsea’s flaws are not unique and may not prove fatal.

Still, it’s clear something isn’t working. The last three games have raised red flags: baffling selections and substitutions, how easily aggression disrupts Chelsea, the failure to create high-quality chances against deep blocks, and the persistence with inverted fullbacks that leave wingers isolated. Individual mistakes have added to the issues.

Time for a Rethink

Chelsea’s struggles against deep defences aren’t new. They stretch back to last season, inviting scrutiny toward the dugout.

Does Maresca need a tactical rethink, or simply a clearer way to instill his ideas? It’s hard to avoid the sense that Chelsea’s methods become stale when there isn’t space to attack.

Repetitive possession patterns may look choreographed but lose their value when they produce worse xG than teams Chelsea should dominate — Atalanta, Bournemouth, Leeds, Sunderland, Nottingham Forest. They won only one of those five.

Bringing Malo Gusto off the bench against Atalanta and using him in central midfield highlighted the problem. It wasn’t unusual for Maresca, but it was over-complicated. Gusto’s best Chelsea performances have come in a more traditional fullback or wingback role.

Inverting him for lesser effect feels like an aesthetic preference rather than playing to his strengths.

When Chelsea can transition cleanly, Maresca’s unorthodox choices are tolerated because they can work. When they don’t, the need for adaptation becomes unmistakable.

You can follow my coverage of Chelsea on YouTube at SonOfChelsea. More written coverage of the club on Substack. Follow me on X for more thoughts, along with listening to the podcast.