Pressure is beginning to build on Enzo Maresca after what was an excellent start to life as Chelsea manager.
The Blues were tipped by many to be in the race for the Premier League title this season, however this is something star players such as Cole Palmer completely disagreed with.
This was proven correct very quickly afterwards, and a current run of just two wins in eight league games has seen them looking over their shoulder at the chasing pack for the top four.
One competition where the Blues have excelled as expected this season is the Conference League. Despite heavy rotation, they topped the group stage phase with a 100% record.
Enzo Maresca told he should be sacked if he doesn’t win Conference League with Chelsea
The likes of Palmer were not even named in the squad for the first round, however he has been brought into the squad ahead of the likes of Welsey Fofana and Romeo Lavia.
Chelsea will have to wait until March until they play European football again, however some of the sides they could take on soon were in action on Thursday night to try and book their place in the next round.
The Blues are the overwhelming favourites for the competition, and Nigel Reo-Coker believes not winning it should see Maresca lose his job as manager.
He said to CBS Sports: “For me, Chelsea are too good for this competition, that’s just the reality of it. Whether it’s their starting line-up, their second line-up or their third line-up. They’ve got way to much talent not to win this competition. If they don’t win this competition, it’s a travesty for them. The biggest embarrassment.
“You’d have to get sacked if you font win this competition. This is the minimum. The Premier League is a rebuild. They’re exceeding expectations, which the manager himself has come and said to take the heat off the players and himself.
“Chelsea are way too strong for this.”
Chelsea’s potential run to the Conference League final
Chelsea are set to play one of Copenhagen, Heidenheim, Gent or Real Betis in the next round of the competition.
The Spaniards picked up a 3-0 win against the Belgians in the first leg of their playoff tie, and are one of the favourites alongside the Blues to win the Conference League.
The Blues already have a 2-0 win under their belts against Heidenheim, however it was their most difficult match of the group stages.
It is not possible for Chelsea to meet other top dogs, Fiorentina, in the final, meaning they will need to overcome them over two legs if they are to go on and lift the trophy.
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