LONDON — Chelsea’s tumultuous 3-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, marked by yet another costly red card, has not shaken the confidence of the club’s ownership in manager Enzo Maresca, according to reliable journalist Matt Law of The Telegraph. Despite the Blues’ third loss in their last five Premier League matches, which has left them languishing in mid-table, the club’s hierarchy—led by co-owner Behdad Eghbali, alongside Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital—remains steadfast in their support for the Italian manager. Law reports that the owners attribute Chelsea’s recent struggles to a crippling injury crisis and recurring disciplinary issues, rather than any tactical shortcomings from Maresca.
The Brighton match encapsulated Chelsea’s season-long woes. The Blues dominated early, with Enzo Fernández’s 24th-minute header—set up by a precise Moises Caicedo pass and Reece James’ cross—giving them a deserved lead. Chelsea’s 68% possession and seven first-half shots suggested Maresca’s high-pressing philosophy was clicking. However, the game unraveled in the second half when Trevoh Chalobah’s reckless challenge on Diego Gómez earned a straight red card in the 50th minute, reducing Chelsea to 10 men for the second consecutive league game. Brighton capitalized, with Danny Welbeck equalizing before Maxim De Cuyper’s 92nd-minute header and a stoppage-time strike from Welbeck sealed a historic 3-1 victory for the Seagulls—their first at Stamford Bridge since 1977.
Maresca’s post-match fury was palpable as he lambasted his squad for “giving away presents” through avoidable red cards, singling out Chalobah’s “naive” foul as a game-changer. “We cannot keep making these mistakes,” Maresca told reporters, visibly frustrated after a 20-minute dressing-room inquisition by the club’s owners. Yet, according to Matt Law, this high-stakes visit from Eghbali, Boehly, and sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley was not a prelude to a managerial change. Instead, it was a call for unity, with the ownership emphasizing their belief in Maresca’s long-term vision despite the team’s current mid-table position.
Law’s report highlights the owners’ reasoning: Chelsea’s squad has been decimated by injuries to key defenders Levi Colwill (hamstring), Tosin Adarabioyo (knock), and Wesley Fofana (concussion), leaving Maresca with limited options at the back. Chalobah, an academy graduate who returned from a loan spell at Crystal Palace, was thrust into a high-pressure role, only to falter with his red-card indiscretion. The owners also point to the team’s disciplinary record—multiple red cards this season have derailed promising performances—as a mitigating factor. “The board sees these as external factors, not a failure of Maresca’s system,” Law noted, citing sources close to the club. The £1 billion investment in the squad, including summer signings like Caicedo and Fernández, underscores their commitment to giving Maresca time to implement his philosophy.
The Brighton loss, compounded by a midweek 2-1 Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich, has fueled fan discontent, with “Enzo Out” banners spotted in the Matthew Harding Stand. However, Law’s reporting suggests the ownership views these setbacks as growing pains rather than a crisis. Maresca’s high-pressing, possession-based style has shown glimpses of brilliance, as seen in the first half against Brighton, but lapses in concentration and a thin squad have exposed vulnerabilities. Chalobah’s suspension for next weekend’s clash with Liverpool, coupled with ongoing injury concerns, leaves Maresca with a defensive headache, though the red card carries only a one-match ban, allowing Chalobah’s potential return for the Champions League tie against Benfica.
With Chelsea’s title aspirations fading, the owners’ backing provides Maresca with breathing room, but the pressure is mounting. Law notes that the board expects rapid improvement, particularly in addressing the team’s disciplinary issues and adapting to the absence of key players. The upcoming Liverpool match looms as a critical test, with a trip to Benfica following closely. For now, Maresca retains the faith of Chelsea’s hierarchy, who see injuries and red cards—not his tactics—as the root of the team’s struggles. Whether this patience holds amid further setbacks remains to be seen, but the Italian’s job, per Law’s trusted reporting, is safe for the foreseeable future.
