Chelsea, however, moved quickly to nip this success and attendant enthusiasm in the bud by parting ways with the Argentine Manager. Tossing the salad back into the air, Chelsea’s two headed sporting directorship of Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart promised yet another comprehensive manager search, presumably like the ones that had already identified Pochettino and Graham Potter as the answers. The Blues then defied convention once again by entrusting its over one-billion-dollar investment in young, largely unproven players, to a relatively young, largely unproven manager, Enzo Maresca. The Italian had failed miserably in Italy’s second division before spending a brief time studying at the knee of Pep Guardiola and then barely getting a talented Leicester roster across the Championship finish line last season. Leicester supporters were not overly saddened to see him leave. Chelsea fans were not overly happy to see him arrive. Maresca is dogged in his playing philosophy, insisting on playing out from the back and maintaining possession no matter which players he has at his disposal.
Not much can normally be drawn from preseason matches where much of the squad is missing after the exertion of international competitions. Chelsea’s new manager has not had much time to work even with the players available in camp to implement his system. However, the horrible US showings in conceding six goals to Wrexham and Celtic did nothing to alleviate worries about the program starting once again from scratch. Chelsea defenders looked particularly lost and disorganized. Benoit Badiashile was particularly egregious. Wesley Fofana has been little better as he tries to return from another season lost to injury. Reece James looked confused and ineffective as Maresca wants the fullback inverting to midfield rather than playing to his strength on the flank. Ditto for Malo Gusto. No one has particularly distinguished themselves.
Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has been under constant pressure in the two matches and could be headed for the bench after the club signed his assumed replacement in Villareal’s Filip Jorgensen. The 22-year-old Danish goalkeeper is reportedly on his way to the US where he will undergo his medical. Jorgensen is expected to take over number one responsibilities while the club tries to figure out what to do with Sanchez and four other goalkeepers still on the roster, including Dorde Petrovic who had the most appearances for the club while Sanchez was injured last season and Kepa Arrizabalaga who returns from an unremarkable loan stint at Real Madrid.
Maresca needs time to work with all his players, including those who will slowly be rejoining the squad from their post-tournament rest periods. One of those late returning players created challenges for Maresca before ever lacing up his boots for the new manager. Enzo Fernandes joined the club Monday to what was likely a frosty reception. The Argentine World Cup and Euro 24 winner posted a video of he and his countrymen teammates celebrating after the Euro victory. Bad move. The group was chanting lyrics which were racially offensive to those of African heritage playing for France. Its origin goes back to the 2022 World Cup when Argentina defeated France and apparently the refrain is still popular with Argentine players and supporters. Fernandes apologized and pulled down his social media posting. However, the 23-year-old midfielder was again all smiles as the crowd chanted it at a River Plate match shortly after his return to Argentina. The situation has been openly condemned by some of Fernandes’ teammates, six of whom are French nationals of African heritage, with others worried about what the effect will be on team unity. The club has launched an official investigation.
Immature actions are not new for Chelsea’s billion-dollar babes. None can forget the squabbling between three of its young players over a penalty kick in a lopsided win over Everton last season. On of those players, striker Nicolas Jackson was more notable for his yellow cards than for his goals last season. Nine of Jackson’s ten yellow cards were for dissent, arguing, celebrating and other poor behavior not associated with actual real time fouls. This summer, no more than two minutes into the match with Wrexham, Chelsea’s Levi Colwell had his hands around the throat of a Wrexham opponent. It is a volatile mix that Maresca takes charge of.
As with other Premier League sides, there is also uncertainty created by the open transfer window. Supporter favorite Conor Gallagher, currently recovering from his Euro exertions, is almost incomprehensibly the subject of transfer rumors. Academy graduates Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah may need to be sold for financial reasons. A potential Gallagher departure is particularly awkward as the English international captained many of Chelsea’s matches down the stretch last season and he has to this point been adamant that he does not wish to leave entering the final season of his current contract. Potential suitors Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur apparently moved on in face of Gallagher’s reluctance, but Atletico Madrid is now rumored to have interest in the midfielder.
Thankfully, Camp Chaos will also welcome back Cole Palmer on its return to England and the young star can single-handedly make things seem brighter for the Blues. In the meantime, however, the US tour now takes on greater meaning given the terrible initial performances. After a midweek match with Club America, Chelsea faces Manchester City in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday. Normally the exhibition match would be meaningless between two clubs who will get down to real business when they face each other in their Premier League opener August 18th. How Chelsea fans feel about that opener could be disproportionately influenced, however, should Camp Chaos flop versus their Premier League opponent on Saturday.
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