Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has responded to mounting criticism following his side’s recent slump in form, suggesting that public opinion drastically shifted from euphoria to complaint immediately after their 1-1 draw with Arsenal last month.
The Blues, despite going down to 10 men early in the first half, took the lead against Mikel Arteta’s table-topping side at Stamford Bridge. However, Mikel Merino’s subsequent header ensured the league leaders escaped with one point on November 30, 2025.
Since that tightly contested derby, Chelsea’s form has dropped, and they are yet to secure a single victory, leading to widespread criticism aimed at the manager and his tactical approach.
Maresca addressed the volatile nature of the criticism during his pre-match briefing:
“It’s something that unfortunately I cannot control [if anyone doesn’t have full faith in me],” Maresca told reporters. “After Arsenal game, everyone was thinking that we were title contenders. After one week, everyone is complaining. “It’s football, it’s our business!”
The Italian manager emphasized the extreme swing in perception, highlighting the dramatic contrast between the high expectations following a strong performance against a top rival and the ensuing negativity generated by a short winless run.
