have been actually not that dangerous beneath Enzo Maresca – fifth within the Premier League, into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup and nonetheless well-placed within the Champions League. His departure was clearly all the way down to a breakdown of his relationship with the membership’s hierarchy.
Maresca didn’t really feel he had the management he needed and I get why he was sad. As Pat Nevin stated on BBC Radio 5 Dwell, perhaps Chelsea want a puppet as their subsequent supervisor, who will do as he’s instructed.
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I actually preferred Maresca. I do know some Chelsea followers discovered his fashion of play final season boring, and a bit predictable, however they ended up within the prime 4 and naturally they turned world champions as properly.
Their performances within the large video games this season have been fairly good, too, however this time, in addition to being with out Maresca, they’re additionally lacking Moises Caicedo – who’s suspended after his reserving in opposition to Bournemouth. He shall be an enormous, large loss.
Chelsea have gotten sufficient different expertise to nonetheless go and get a end result at Etihad Stadium, however I do not suppose they are going to.
I’m anticipating to search out their capturing boots once more after they have been shut out by Sunderland, particularly if they have somebody with a protracted throw.
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Chelsea couldn’t cope with Antoine Semenyo’s deliveries in any respect once they performed Bournemouth.
Rather a lot has been fabricated from how younger Chelsea’s defence is, however that is not really the case. While you look by way of their group they aren’t inexperienced, they might want to do much better in opposition to a Metropolis facet that could possibly be too sharp and streetwise for them and their age is just not an excuse.
Sutton’s prediction: 3-1