Chelsea owners ‘happy’ with Enzo Maresca even if they miss Champions League after ‘worst performance of season’

ENZO MARESCA has the backing of the Chelsea board - despite an alarming post-Christmas slump. The Blues put in a miserable display on Friday night as they were beaten 3-0 by Brighton. Chelsea failed to muster a single shot on target as they slumped to a third loss in four games. Maresca's side looked to be embroiled in an unlikely title race just two months ago. But a severe slide since the turn of the year has seen them take just 12 points from a possible 30.

And they continue to show a persistent form of travel sickness, with no away win since December 8. A frustrated Maresca called the Brighton debacle the "worst performance" since he arrived in the summer. He added: "This is the worst moment since I arrived but we are still there and we need to finish in the best way.". According to The Athletic, Chelsea's board are still "happy" with how Maresca has performed this season.

It comes despite some discontent among the fanbase, with the away end at Brighton noticeably emptying before the final whistle on Friday. FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS. The report adds that Maresca was not expected to achieve Champions League football in his first season. Chelsea slipped back to sixth after results over the weekend and face an uphill task to finish in the top four. Maresca's job is not said to be under threat, despite chants of "We want our Chelsea back" heard from travelling faithful at the Amex.

The Italian also called on his team to summon the team spirit they showed in abundance earlier this season. He continued: “We need all of them, in this moment, to be more positive. "Because this is a moment where we need to stick together and try to finish in the best way.". HOW SunSport's ISABELLE BARKER rated Chelsea flops as the Blues failed to muster a single shot on target in a 3-0 loss to Brighton,.

FILIP JORGENSEN 5. Jorgensen wasn't all to blame for letting in the three goals, particularly Kaoru Mitoma's wonder strike. But Chelsea fans will be thinking 'be careful what you wish for' with Rob Sanchez not looking so bad anymore. MALO GUSTO 6. Gusto stood his ground well at times with Mitoma one-on-one for some of Chelsea’s better defending in the match. LEVI COLWILL 5. When Colwill lost the ball under minimal pressure and stayed on the ground, making no attempt to recover his position it summed up his game. Twice in two matches he’s given goals away for being weak.

TREVOH CHALOBAH 5. The centre-back flapped about when marking Mitoma for the opener. MARC CUCURELLA 5. Struggled to keep Yankuba Minteh in check and was fully sat down by the Gambia winger for Brighton’s third goal - much to the pleasure of the booing home fans. MOISES CAICEDO 7. Caicedo was jeered by chants of "what a waste of money". But he has been one of the Blues’ only bright sparks for the last six months and, even today, he was Maresca’s best player.

ENZO FERNANDEZ 6. The Chelsea skipper was unlucky not to have nabbed an equaliser after rising above Joel Veltman on 36 minutes to head home - but he fouled the Dutchman in the build up. Looked sluggish in other areas of the game though. NONI MADUEKE 5. Had little influence as he was substituted off on 20 minutes due to a hamstring injury. The Blues are running out of forwards with him joining Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu on the injured list.

COLE PALMER 5. Palmer was reeling throughout both halves, constantly throwing his hands up in frustration at the lack of service from his teammates. He blazed well over, when he did have a shot and the Blues didn’t have a single effort on target. PEDRO NETO 5. It was not clear what Neto’s purpose was on the pitch, he only really looked good at sprinting and still couldn’t beat Tariq Lamptey in a 1v1.

CHRISTOPHER NKUNKU 5. Nkunku did a very good job at jogging around and not doing a lot. Blues would probably rather see Jackson starting if he wasn’t also out injured. JADON SANCHO 5. Sancho looks as though he is doing what he did at Manchester United, starting well but going off the boil. In his last 11 games across all competitions, he has nabbed just one assist. KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL 6. REECE JAMES 6. TYRIQUE GEORGE 6.