By Martin Graham
Chelsea have conceded more points at home from advantage than any other team in the Premier League this campaign. The skipper frustrates Enzo Maresca, who accepts that the issue is “not random” and insists that he must “understand why” the team repeatedly loses momentum when conceding.
The team generally start quickly at Stamford Bridge, breaking the deadlock in eight of their previous nine league games at home. However, 11 points have been dropped after holding leads there, adding to the 13 points dropped overall. That number alone equates to the current distance between Chelsea and first place.
Their recent 2-1 defeat Aston Villa forced a change in Maresca’s approach. Substitute Ollie Watkins turned the score around with a brace, extending the gap between the clubs to ten points. The result left the coach determined to address how his team responds when games start to turn.
ahead of from Bournemouth Upon arrival on Tuesday, Maresca acknowledged the recurring theme: after setbacks in matches, the squad “loses a bit of control” and struggles to regain rhythm, whatever the score at the time.
Youth vs experience: does it cost them the bench?
In Villa’s defeat, Unai Emery’s changes were decisive. Villa’s players – Watkins, Amadou Onana, Jadon Sancho, Lucas Digne and Lamare Bogarde – averaged more than 26 years of age. By contrast, the four additions to the Chelsea bench averaged less than 21 years of age, inclusive Estevao Willian, Jamie Gittens, Liam Delapi bad flight.
Cole Palmer he reacted angrily to his withdrawal by Estevao, while Marc Cucurella he was ruled out due to a suspected hamstring concern. Maresca’s reaction to questions on the subject remained cautious, dismissing the idea that substitutions alone are responsible.
There have been similar criticisms in defeats against Manchester United and Brighton, where Chelsea were reduced to 10 men, and even after the Champions League defeat to Atalanta, when Charles De Ketelaere claimed Chelsea “fell off” late on. The discourse now centers on whether the bench lacks preparation or whether the rotation options are holding them back.
Estevao’s output – five goals and one assist – contrasts sharply with Delap’s one goal and Gittens’ one goal and five assists, showing flashes rather than consistency. Maresca believes that the development and management of the game will improve “game by game”.
Early changes, little effect
Chelsea’s first substitutions arrive before almost everyone else, often at or shortly after the interval. However, the impact remains minimal – just three goals and one assist have come from substitutes in league competition this season.
With a starting group averaging 24 years and 219 days, and substitutes averaging 21 years and 349 days, Chelsea not only feature the youngest starting group, but also the youngest bench in the competition. Their reliance on emerging talent is a deliberate team-building approach, but results remain uneven.
The rotation has also produced mixed results. Strong fixtures against Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Cardiff required trusted stars to rescue results, while the likes of Andrey Santos are still considered below the level of Moises Caicedo and other starters.
Goals, tension and permanent challenges
Maresca recently distanced himself from comments perceived as frustration with the club’s support following losses to Leeds and Atalanta. He maintains that he is meeting expectations given the profile of the squad and that Champions League qualification through league placement remains the core objective.
Chelsea have dropped below Liverpool to fifth and sit just seven points behind Bournemouth in 15th. Home form is faltering, with three league defeats already there, equaling last season’s total. They are yet to win back-to-back home games.
Injuries make things even more complicated. Cucurella may miss time, Jorrel Hato remains on the sidelines and Palmer and Reece James require evaluation. Wesley Fofana, however, is available after being rested.
Despite the setbacks, Maresca argues that Villa’s most recent result does not reflect a genuine ten-point gap. He insists the belief must be kept, adding that Chelsea must remain “confident” in their ability to close the gap on the clubs ahead.
