Maresca was right to play down Chelsea’s title ambitions given the lack of experience in his squad and the huge player turnover at the club, but the collapse in their form over the last few months has been worrying.
A 3-0 defeat at Brighton on Friday night – their second loss at the Amex in less than a week – means they have gone six games on the road without a win.
Chelsea have only won four of their 12 matches since they beat Brentford – and two of them were at home to Shamrock Rovers and Morecambe.
It was Chelsea’s fifth league win in a row and they were being talked up as title contenders.
Cole Palmer has created more chances than anyone but Chelsea do not have a striker who can finish them.
