“it’s not about the striker” – Enzo Maresca reaction after loss to Ipswich

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Chelsea’s Premier League Hopes Take a Hit with Another Draw

Chelsea’s Premier League title aspirations have been dealt another blow after failing to secure a win for the third consecutive match. The Blues ended 2024 and the first half of the season with a disappointing 2-0 loss against Ipswich, a team battling relegation.

Ipswich 2-0 Chelsea – Match Recap and Analysis

For the third game running, Chelsea (4th place, 35 points) appeared lackluster and defensively fragile, particularly in the absence of Romeo Lavia, who typically anchors their midfield. The team had built momentum earlier, winning five straight games and closing the gap to just two points behind league leaders Liverpool as of December 15. However, since then, they’ve managed only one point and a single goal in three outings.

Coach Enzo Maresca is unlikely to show much enthusiasm in his post-match comments after this frustrating performance.

Maresca’s Reaction: What Did the Chelsea Boss Say Post-Match?

Maresca’s tone reflected both frustration and realism:

“It was a strange game. We created plenty of chances and could’ve scored several times, but their defenders cleared off the line, and their goalkeeper made incredible saves. We have to do better, particularly in some defensive situations.”

He also dismissed the idea that the problem lay solely with finishing:

“We had good opportunities through Joao [Felix] and Noni [Madueke]. This isn’t just about strikers. Sometimes, no matter how well you create, it just doesn’t go your way.”

Reflecting on the Season So Far

Acknowledging the challenges of the season, Maresca remained pragmatic:

“This kind of phase is inevitable in a long campaign. Nobody expected us to be where we are, competing as we have. But it’s clear we’re not yet at the level of the top teams in England in terms of consistency. That’s something we have to work on.”

He also emphasized the necessity of squad rotation:

“We made four changes today because every player deserved their chance. Looking back on the first half of the season, we’re in a solid position, but there’s a lot we can improve. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

Chelsea will need to regain form quickly if they hope to stay in the title race. The gap between them and the leaders is widening, and the pressure is mounting. Can they turn things around in the second half of the season? Time will tell.