Booing of Maresca's side after two matches shows scale of task

Image source, Reuters

  • Author, Nizaar Kinsella
  • Role, 大象传媒 Sport football news reporter at Stamford Bridge

There is a strange atmosphere at the start of Enzo Maresca's Chelsea reign as some supporters booed their team off at half-time against Servette at Stamford Bridge.

It was far from the full stadium but it was a sizeable and audible minority who also jeered the team in a marginally improved second half when midfielder Moises Caicedo played it back to goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.

Chelsea fans already look like they may emulate sections of the Leicester City support and be critical of the patient, possession-based tactical approach favoured by the Italian, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the summer.

When asked about the response at the interval, Maresca said: "I can understand but the important thing is to win the game. Clean sheet and we did nine changes."

Of course, the atmosphere is not helped by back-to-back trophyless seasons and continued suspicion in parts of the fanbase of the Boehly-Clearlake ownership.

But the second half also showed the simple way out of it - through winning.

Winning is the one idea that binds this group of regulars in west London and a penalty from Christopher Nkunku and a powerful near-post finish from Noni Madueke saw the team cheered off the pitch.

That is despite a not particularly impressive performance to beat a team that finished third in the Swiss league.

"I think all of them need more time to know the system better. For sure, 100%. But tonight was also not easy for some of them in terms of physical condition," Maresca added.

It is fair for Maresca to call for time while radically overhauling this club's tactical approach to a detailed one akin to the style played by Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.

Yet, giving time is not Chelsea's mantra and you have to buy it for yourself by winning.

To beat Wolves on Sunday they will have to improve markedly on Thursday's display.