As the 2025/26 Premier League season begins, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca faces the challenge of molding a sprawling, talent-heavy squad into a cohesive unit capable of competing for silverware. With over 40 players at his disposal and a reputation for tactical precision forged at Leicester City, Maresca must make calculated decisions about who to trust on the pitch. However, recent performances, tactical mismatches, and off-field developments point to several players who should not feature prominently in his plans this season. Drawing from the latest insights as of August 12, 2025, here are five players Maresca should avoid relying on to maximize Chelsea’s chances of success.
---
### 1. Robert Sanchez – A Goalkeeper on Shaky Ground
Robert Sanchez’s tenure as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper has been fraught with inconsistency. Last season, the Spaniard lost his starting spot to Filip Jorgensen after a string of errors and a mid-season injury. Sources close to the club indicate Maresca has little confidence in Sanchez, with the manager openly exploring options in the transfer market, including a failed bid for AC Milan’s Mike Maignan. Sanchez’s pre-season performances in 2025 did little to restore faith, with shaky distribution and poor command of his area exposed against top opposition. With Jorgensen, a 22-year-old with a higher save percentage and better ball-playing ability, emerging as the preferred choice, Sanchez’s role looks limited. Maresca should prioritize stability in goal and avoid leaning on Sanchez, who appears to be on borrowed time at Stamford Bridge.
---
### 2. Djordje Petrovic – Out of the Picture
Djordje Petrovic’s situation mirrors Sanchez’s, but with even less hope of a revival. The Serbian goalkeeper, who impressed during a 2024/25 loan spell at Strasbourg with a Ligue 1 save percentage of 74.2%, has been deemed surplus to requirements. Maresca’s reported distrust in his current goalkeeping options extends to Petrovic, who has attracted interest from clubs like Nice and Bournemouth. Despite his potential, Petrovic has been overtaken by Jorgensen and faces competition from the returning Kepa Arrizabalaga, who is back from Real Madrid. With Chelsea’s goalkeeping department overcrowded and Maresca focused on building a squad aligned with his vision, Petrovic is unlikely to see significant minutes. To maintain focus on his preferred starters, Maresca should steer clear of relying on the 25-year-old this season.
---
### 3. Ben Chilwell – A Tactical Outcast
Ben Chilwell’s fall from grace at Chelsea has been stark. Once a cornerstone of the squad, the England left-back has struggled to adapt to Maresca’s possession-heavy, high-pressing system. Reports from within the club suggest Chilwell was absent from key pre-season lineups, fueling speculation of a potential exit before the August 30 transfer deadline. His injury-prone career—missing 34 matches over the past two seasons—further complicates his case. With Marc Cucurella thriving as a versatile full-back and new signing Jorrel Hato offering long-term potential, Chilwell’s role has diminished. Maresca’s system demands defenders who can invert into midfield and contribute to build-up play, areas where Chilwell has looked uncomfortable. To ensure defensive solidity and tactical cohesion, Maresca should avoid relying on Chilwell, whose future likely lies elsewhere.
---
### 4. Raheem Sterling – Fading Star Power
Raheem Sterling’s struggles at Chelsea have reached a critical point. The 30-year-old winger, signed for £50m in 2022, has failed to replicate his Manchester City form, managing just 8 goals and 4 assists in the 2024/25 Premier League season. Under Maresca, Sterling’s pre-season outings were lackluster, with Noni Madueke and new signings like Pedro Neto and Jamie Gittens outshining him in attacking roles. His exclusion from Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad list in July 2025 sparked further doubts about his place in the team. Maresca’s preference for dynamic, high-intensity wingers who can press relentlessly and deliver in the final third doesn’t align with Sterling’s current output. With young talents like Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian pushing for minutes, Sterling’s inconsistent performances make him a player Maresca should sideline to maintain attacking fluidity.
---
### 5. Romelu Lukaku – A Costly Misfit
Romelu Lukaku’s second stint at Chelsea has been a high-profile disappointment. The £97.5m striker, who spent last season on loan at Roma, has no squad number for 2025/26 and is reportedly close to a permanent move to Napoli. Maresca’s tactical setup, which emphasizes mobile, pressing forwards, doesn’t suit Lukaku’s static, target-man style. The 31-year-old’s pre-season performances were underwhelming, with no goals in three appearances, and his high wages make him a financial burden. With young strikers like Liam Delap, who scored 10 goals in the Championship last season, and incoming talent Samu Omorodion offering more dynamism, Lukaku’s presence risks stunting Chelsea’s attacking development. Maresca should avoid relying on the Belgian to focus on building a forward line for the future.
---
### Why These Decisions Are Critical
Maresca’s first full season at Chelsea comes with sky-high expectations. After securing fourth place and the UEFA Conference League title in 2024/25, the Italian manager is under pressure to challenge for the Premier League and navigate a grueling Club World Cup campaign. His “ruthless” squad management—evidenced by the departures of Joao Felix (to Aston Villa) and Conor Gallagher (to Atletico Madrid)—shows he’s unafraid to make tough calls. However, leaning on players who don’t fit his system or lack form could derail Chelsea’s momentum.
Maresca’s 4-3-3 system demands high pressing, quick transitions, and technical proficiency, areas where Sanchez, Petrovic, Chilwell, Sterling, and Lukaku have shown deficiencies. By prioritizing players like Cole Palmer (20 goals last season), Moises Caicedo (Chelsea’s most consistent midfielder), and new additions like Estevao Willian, Maresca can build a squad capable of competing with Manchester City and Arsenal. However, he must also manage the workload of key players like Caicedo, who played 3,200 minutes last season, to avoid burnout.
---
### The Bigger Picture
Chelsea’s season opener against Crystal Palace on August 17, 2025, offers Maresca a chance to set the tone. By sidelining players who are tactically misaligned or on the transfer list, he can signal his intent to build a streamlined, competitive squad. The transfer window, open until August 30, provides an opportunity to offload Sanchez, Petrovic, Chilwell, Sterling, and Lukaku, freeing up funds and squad space for further reinforcements.
Former Chelsea star Pat Nevin recently emphasized the importance of squad cohesion, noting that Maresca’s ability to “get the right players on the pitch at the right time” will define his success. With a young, dynamic squad and a clear tactical identity, Chelsea has the potential to reclaim its place among Europe’s elite. However, relying on players who don’t fit the mold risks undermining that ambition.
---
### Final Thoughts
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea project is at a pivotal juncture. By avoiding reliance on Robert Sanchez, Djordje Petrovic, Ben Chilwell, Raheem Sterling, and Romelu Lukaku, he can focus on players who embody his vision of high-intensity, possession-based football. As the Premier League kicks off and the Club World Cup looms, these decisions will shape Chelsea’s trajectory. Fans will hope Maresca’s bold choices translate into results, starting with a statement performance against Palace
Post a Comment