“Improve or get replaced” “Can’t take it anymore” – Enzo Maresca reveals where Chelsea players must improve after another draw
After Chelsea’s 2-2 stalemate with Bournemouth, Enzo Maresca voiced his irritation, asserting that his side “deserved much more” from a match in which the Blues were dominant yet could not capitalize on their opportunities.
Chelsea began the match with vigor, as Cole Palmer netted an early goal for them, and the away team appeared ready to seize control. Nonetheless, squandered opportunities returned to haunt them. Nicolas Jackson struck the post when the score was 1-0 and wasted two additional prime opportunities that could have secured the match by halftime.
Bournemouth capitalised on Chelsea’s missed chances, equalising through a Justin Kluivert penalty after Moises Caicedo committed a needless foul. Antoine Semenyo then put the Cherries ahead with a stunning strike that looked like it might hand the home side all three points.
It took a moment of brilliance from captain Reece James in the dying moments of the game to salvage a draw. The England international scored a superb free-kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time to ensure Chelsea didn’t leave the Vitality Stadium empty-handed.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Maresca lamented his side’s inability to kill off the game in the first half. “I don’t think [it was a fair point],” Maresca said. “I think we deserved much more, especially [in the] first half. It is a game we could finish 2/3-0 – the amount of shots [and] chances – but it is football.”
The Chelsea boss also highlighted an area for improvement, particularly after conceding the first goal. “The negative thing is that after we concede the goal, we completely change the way we are playing in terms of we drop a little bit, and this is something that we need to improve. But overall, I think we completely deserve to win the game, and unfortunately, we didn’t.”
Chelsea fans will likely feel both relieved and frustrated after this result. While the last-gasp equaliser provided a dramatic ending, the inability to turn dominance into victory continues to be a recurring issue for the Blues this season. For Maresca, the challenge now will be instilling the ruthlessness and consistency required to convert such performances into three points.