Jamie Carragher has never been shy about hitting at Chelsea under Enzo Maresca’s watch, and his latest comments about Chelsea’s season under Enzo Maresca are a stark reminder of just how far the Blues have fallen short of expectations.
In his column for The Telegraph, Carragher wrote: “Chelsea’s problem to this point of the season is, despite their vast outlay, they are not fulfilling the ambitions of those they signed in their huge spending spree.” It’s a damning but fair assessment. Chelsea’s spending under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital has been nothing short of historic — over £1 billion on 38 players — yet the team is still fighting just to finish in the Premier League’s top five.
Carragher continued: “Enzo Maresca must be grateful to Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. Because of the problems at the other members of the Big Six, Chelsea’s underachievement this season has largely gone under the radar.”
Let’s not forget what was promised when the new ownership took charge in 2022. Ambition, innovation, a return to the top of English and European football. But as Carragher pointed out: “If you had said in 2022 that the club would be fighting to finish in the top five after spending so much, the conclusion would be something has gone badly wrong.”
The optimism surrounding the Todd Boehly-Clearlake era has slowly eroded with each misstep — from managerial changes to underwhelming performances and inconsistent recruitment. Chelsea fans have been patient, but this season was supposed to be different. Three years into the project, the results still don’t match the investment.
With a new manager in Maresca and yet another reset on the cards, the pressure is building. And while Carragher’s comments might sting, they reflect a growing sentiment among fans: this club, with its resources and ambition, should be doing far more.
As the season winds down and the top five finish hangs in the balance, Chelsea can no longer hide behind the chaos at other clubs. The spotlight is coming — and so are the expectations.