“If you continue to start him top 4 hopes will be in vain” “Replace him now” – Mikel Obi begs Enzo Maresca to replace 26-years-old Chelsea star who would ruin Chelsea top 4 race
Chelsea’s development under Enzo Maresca’s leadership has shown signs of promise and aspiration, although the process is still ongoing. Chelsea was lingering in 11th position with just 12 points during the first 10 Premier League games of the 2023–24 season. The slow start demonstrated how a team was still getting used to a new tactical philosophy and establishing its feet under a new boss.
In the present season, Chelsea’s development is starting to become apparent. With 18 points in the same run of games, they have moved up to fourth position. Even if they aren’t yet considered for a title push, particularly when facing elite teams like Manchester City and Liverpool, their improvement is evident.
City and Liverpool possess established, well-coordinated squads that have honed their chemistry over years, while Maresca’s Chelsea project is still relatively young. Nonetheless, Chelsea’s improvement signals that the foundation for something greater might be forming.
The vision of competing for the title could become a reality if owner Todd Boehly continues to show patience and faith in Maresca’s long-term project. With time, the young Chelsea squad may develop the chemistry and cohesion needed to mount a genuine title challenge. Maresca’s approach seems to emphasize building from within and fostering talent, suggesting that a title push might be more achievable if Chelsea commits to this developmental path.
However, not everyone believes that the club’s current trajectory will lead them to the summit of English football. Football pundit Robbie Savage has voiced his skepticism, specifically highlighting Chelsea’s goalkeeping situation as a critical weakness.
According to John Mikel Obi, the key to Chelsea’s title aspirations lies in upgrading their goalkeeper. He believes that Robert Sanchez, whom he deems a “seven out of 10” goalkeeper, may not be the ideal candidate for a team with championship ambitions. Savage argues that elite title-contending teams often rely on goalkeepers of the highest caliber, who can provide stability and inspire confidence across the defense.
“We can score goals in the attack if we got some chances, sealing top 4 hopes is left to Robert Sanchez who always do some silly mistake at the goalkeeper area”
“We have to find a keeper that can challenge him as well, I can see he’s the only one that can ruin our top4 hopes this season” remarked John Mikel Obi.
John Mikel Obi concerns about Sanchez are grounded in recent performances that left fans and analysts questioning the keeper’s reliability.
During a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool, Sanchez’s positioning errors were evident, costing Chelsea crucial points. In a recent clash with Manchester United, Sanchez conceded a penalty that proved costly, further fueling doubts about his ability to handle high-stakes moments. Despite Chelsea’s £25 million investment in Sanchez after he lost his place as Brighton’s first-choice keeper, his performances thus far have not entirely justified the price tag.
Given these circumstances, John Mikel Obi suggests that Chelsea may need to shift their focus to internal options instead of pursuing another high-profile, costly signing in the goalkeeping department.
The club has a few promising young goalkeepers within their ranks, and a strong case could be made for nurturing this emerging talent rather than repeatedly dipping into the transfer market. By investing in developing their own prospects, Chelsea might find a future star who embodies the qualities needed for a successful title charge.
This approach would align with Maresca’s vision of building a cohesive and resilient squad from the ground up, prioritizing stability and continuity over short-term fixes. If Chelsea is to eventually rise to the level of the Premier League’s elite, creating a dependable last line of defense, whether with Sanchez or a developing talent, will be essential.
Maresca’s success may ultimately hinge on his ability to cultivate a balanced team with a reliable backbone, one capable of challenging the established giants in the league.