The Chelsea problems under Enzo Maresca were laid bare again at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. A 2-1 home loss to Sunderland highlighted all that’s thrilling — and troubling — about this young, unpredictable side.
Chelsea looked set to build momentum after flashes of brilliance earlier in the month, but instead they fell to a result that summed up their growing pains. Maresca’s “youth revolution” has created one of the Premier League’s most watchable teams — yet also one of the least consistent.
The Italian coach has spoken openly about managing expectations amid the club’s transition. His side play with flair and fearlessness but lack the maturity to close out games. “Control” and “consistency,” Maresca says, remain the missing ingredients.
Estevão hype and the Cole Palmer void
There was excitement when 18-year-old Estevão came off the bench, fans chanting his name as Chelsea sought a late equaliser. The Brazilian winger, hailed as a future superstar, has already shown flashes of brilliance — including his famous stoppage-time winner against Liverpool earlier this season.
But Maresca has resisted throwing him in from the start. The coach knows that raw potential must be handled carefully, especially in the absence of Cole Palmer, whose creativity and calm under pressure Chelsea desperately miss.
Estevão may one day fill that role, but for now he’s a work in progress, one symbol of a squad learning on the job.
Injuries and fatigue hitting Chelsea’s rhythm
The after-effects of last season’s Club World Cup triumph are beginning to show. Chelsea’s injury list reads like a who’s who of their key players: Levi Colwill sidelined long-term with a knee issue, Joao Pedro struggling with a groin problem, and both Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández nursing knocks while continuing to play through pain.
Maresca admitted post-match that the squad is “feeling the weight” of a congested schedule. Another international break looms in November, with Caicedo and Fernández set for long-haul flights to represent Ecuador and Argentina — adding further strain.
“We have quality, yes, but right now we lack control. These young players need rhythm, rest, and time together — and that’s difficult with our schedule.” — Enzo Maresca, post-Sunderland press conference
Chelsea’s home form a growing concern
Chelsea have dropped eight points from winning positions at home this season — a pattern that reflects their psychological fragility as much as their tactical inconsistency.
Across five league games at Stamford Bridge, they’ve won two, lost two, and drawn one — that fortuitous 1-1 against Crystal Palace on opening day. The contrast is striking: when expectation weighs heavy, Chelsea freeze; when chaos reigns, they thrive.
The high of Estevão’s 95th-minute winner versus Liverpool still lingers in fan memory, yet results like Sunderland remind everyone how far this team is from true maturity.
Chelsea 2025/26 Premier League snapshot
| Stat (2025/26) | Chelsea |
|---|---|
| League Position | 9th |
| Goals Scored | 18 |
| Goals Conceded | 16 |
| Points Dropped from Winning Positions | 8 |
source: Premier League database – 27 October 2025
The numbers tell the story: flashes of promise undermined by recurring lapses.
Our View: Talent isn’t the problem — time is
In our view, Chelsea’s project under Maresca remains promising but premature. The technical base is strong, the energy undeniable, yet the team’s emotional control lags behind its potential.
Patience will be key. When Cole Palmer returns and the midfield duo of Fernández-Caicedo regain full fitness, the structure should stabilise. But the short term will likely remain turbulent.
Key Insights
- Chelsea problems under Enzo Maresca exposed in Sunderland defeat.
- Youthful squad showing both flair and fragility.
- Estevão hailed as future star but still being eased in.
- Club World Cup fatigue and mounting injuries affecting rhythm.
- Maresca chasing “control” and “consistency” as long-term goals.
What’s Next
Chelsea travel to Tottenham on 1 November 2025, aiming to end their run of dropped points from winning positions. Maresca is expected to rotate his midfield and could hand Estevão his first Premier League start if fitness allows.
The Blues’ immediate focus is recovery — physical and mental. Only then can the promise of their youth project translate into results.
👉 Can Enzo Maresca turn Chelsea’s raw talent into a consistent Premier League force?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 27 Oct 2025 12:45
The problem is not about the young squad, it's about how we play against teams with low blocks - because against Liverpool we had space, even though Liverpool seems to lose to anyone right now. But what I felt was we lacked Energy in between the lines when we had the ball, we lacked energy to ask for the ball and run in to the channels.
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