Former Chelsea and Arsenal defender William Gallas has been highly critical of the Blues’ performances under Enzo Maresca. In particular, Gallas highlighted Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal before the international break in March.
Chelsea went down 1-0 at the Emirates on Sunday (16/03) thanks to a Mikel Merino goal (20′). Despite enjoying 60 per cent of the possession, Chelsea were unable to create any dangerous chances and Arsenal were the more threatening side with 12 shots (four on target).
Chelsea’s struggles in front of goal have been compounded by injuries to Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson. However, the struggles are also ironic given Chelsea’s status as the league’s third most prolific attacking team (tied with Arsenal) with 53 goals.
Against Arsenal, Maresca experimented. One of them was to play right-back Reece James as a pivot midfielder. In fact, Maresca still has Romeo Lavia to play in that position or Enzo Maresca.
Chelsea’s game criticised
According to Gallas, Chelsea played like a team from the 1980s and the London derby was monotonous. There was also a lack of intensity in the game.
“On the pitch (in the London Derby) there are one-on-one battles. I was surprised to see Reece James playing as a midfielder and it was like going back to 1980. We are in 2025. How can you ask your players to do that?” Gallas was quoted by Goal.
“Defenders Benoit Badiashile and Levi Colwill looked scared on the ball and with more pressure from Arsenal they could have scored a second goal. The goal they scored came from a corner.
“For me it’s boring, especially the London derby. I’ve played a lot of games like that and it’s more intense. The fans want to see the players fighting, running and challenging each other, but nothing happens”.
On the basis of that performance, Gallas believes Chelsea have played better under Mauricio Pochettino, although he did not deny the development of the team under Maresca.
“If you look at the performance against Arsenal, you would say that Chelsea would be better with Mauricio Pochettino,” Gallas added.
“What I saw from Chelsea against Arsenal, the system and the way they played, I was a bit disappointed. But at the moment I think Enzo Maresca is on the right track, they are still on course to finish in the top four. Sometimes the owners of big clubs get impatient.
“The new owners have made a lot of decisions when they haven’t seen results, so it’s Maresca’s turn to show he’s the man.
