Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has openly admitted that the club’s recent slump in form has been influenced by ongoing transfer speculation, with key players potentially distracted by external interest.
The Blues, who appeared to be mounting a strong challenge in the Premier League after a five-game winning streak, have struggled since mid-December, winning just one of their last seven league matches.
Chelsea’s Struggles Coincide with Transfer Uncertainty
Since their emphatic 2-0 victory over Brentford on December 15, Chelsea have seen a noticeable dip in performance.
Their most recent setback, a 3-1 defeat to reigning champions Manchester City, has left them languishing in sixth place, significantly denting their top-four ambitions.
When asked whether the January transfer window played a role in Chelsea’s inconsistency, Maresca was emphatic in his response:
“100%. 100% for me. But not only us, all the teams, because in the end, [the players] are human beings.”
The Italian manager believes that regardless of a player’s professionalism, speculation over potential moves can impact focus and performance.
Chelsea’s squad has been at the center of several transfer rumors, with key players such as João Félix and Ben Chilwell linked with exits before the January deadline.
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Injury Woes Adding to Chelsea’s Challenges
Beyond transfer distractions, Chelsea’s form has also been hampered by injuries to crucial players. Maresca highlighted the absence of Wesley Fofana, who has been sidelined with a serious injury that could keep him out for the rest of the season.
“Since we started, he has been a key player, but that has also happened in other teams like City and Arsenal,” Maresca noted, suggesting that injuries have had a league-wide impact.
Despite these setbacks, Maresca remains optimistic, emphasizing that Chelsea continue to create opportunities but have struggled to convert chances inside the box—an issue that has cost them valuable points.
Chelsea’s Goalkeeping Dilemma: Sánchez vs. Jørgensen
Another area of concern for the Blues has been their goalkeeping situation. Robert Sánchez’s recent error against Manchester City has raised questions over his position as the club’s No.1 goalkeeper. With Chelsea set to face West Ham United on transfer deadline day, Maresca has yet to confirm whether Sánchez will start or if summer signing Filip Jørgensen will be given an opportunity.
“Not yet, not yet. The decision… we have two or three days. Any decision I take, I feel good. Filip or Robert, we see. Any decision will be okay.”
What’s Next for Chelsea?
With the transfer window closing in a matter of days, Chelsea will need to resolve any lingering uncertainties to regain their focus and get their season back on track.
Their upcoming clash against West Ham will be a crucial test, not only in terms of league positioning but also to see how well the team can overcome recent distractions and adversity.
As the window shuts and the squad stabilizes, Maresca will hope that Chelsea can rediscover their rhythm and return to winning ways in pursuit of a top-four finish.
