It was a strong choice of words from a head coach not typically used to showing his frustrations in front of a camera. But Enzo Maresca’s claim that he “felt shame” with how Chelsea threw away another lead on Tuesday night was striking because of the many ways it could be applied.
As the words came out of Maresca’s mouth it seemed clear that he was referring to his team’s lack of control. They are developing a worrying habit of starting games strongly only to lack the ruthlessness of a top team before fading and allowing opponents a way back in.
And yet, you have to wonder, whether there was also a bit of self-reflection around his own decision-making against a Bournemouth team that was down to the bare bones. Maresca has done a fine job of balancing Chelsea’s loaded squad through the campaign so far, mostly through having a weekend and midweek XI.
Yet as the fixtures have piled up and the consistency of his rotation has become more difficult to maintain, the performances and results that briefly had Chelsea fans dreaming of a title challenge have been downgraded to a place where a battle for Champions League qualification is now on the cards.
That is a position where most level-headed fans would have expected a young team to be in last summer. It is important, then, to remember that the Maresca project remains on course and despite it being a month today since their last league win there should be no cause for panic.
