Chelsea and manager Enzo Maresca are navigating a season of high expectations and mounting pressure, with recent performances providing both glimpses of promise and stark reminders of the distance to the Champions League elite. While Maresca appears to have earned some breathing room with the Chelsea hierarchy, significant challenges remain in achieving consistent success and competing at the highest level.

Maresca's Chelsea: Tactical Identity and Recent Form

Since arriving at Stamford Bridge, Enzo Maresca has sought to implement a "posicional, sophisticated and versatile tactical identity". His approach emphasizes control, adaptability, and positional intelligence, drawing heavily from positional play principles while incorporating high pressing and flexible structures. Key elements of his tactical approach include:

• Build-up play: Chelsea typically starts in a 4-2-3-1 formation but fluidly transitions into a 3-2-4-1 or 3-4-3 shape, with inverted fullbacks and midfield rotations to create central overloads. Short passing sequences are used to bypass pressure and maintain numerical superiority.
• Offensive transitions: Maresca emphasizes vertical passes to exploit spaces, targeting wide areas or gaps between defenders. Counterattacks are well-organized, with players making intelligent runs to create overloads.
• High press: Chelsea aims to press high up the pitch, seeking a numerical advantage against the opposition's forwards and forcing play to one side.

Despite these tactical innovations, Chelsea's recent form has been inconsistent. A recent 3-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, coupled with other disappointing results, has led to growing concerns among fans. Maresca has acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in eliminating "game-changing mistakes".

Champions League Qualification: A Challenging Objective

Chelsea's stated goal for the season is to finish in the top four of the Premier League, thereby securing Champions League qualification. However, achieving this objective will be a significant challenge. As of late September 2025, Chelsea sits in eighth place in the Premier League, seven points adrift of the league leaders.

Several factors contribute to the difficulty of Chelsea's task:

• Inconsistent performances: Chelsea has struggled to maintain consistent performances, with promising displays often followed by disappointing results.
• Disciplinary issues: Red cards in crucial matches have disrupted Chelsea's momentum and forced Maresca to adopt a more defensive approach.
• Tough competition: Chelsea faces intense competition from other top Premier League clubs vying for Champions League spots, including Manchester City, Liverpool, and others.

While Maresca retains the backing of the Chelsea board, he is aware of the growing pressure to deliver results. The team's performance in upcoming matches, particularly against tough opponents, will be crucial in determining their Champions League qualification prospects.

Champions League Glory: A Distant Prospect

Even if Chelsea manages to secure Champions League qualification, competing for glory in the competition appears to be a distant prospect at this stage. While the team has shown flashes of potential, they lack the consistency and experience needed to challenge the top European clubs.

Maresca himself recognizes the gap between Chelsea and the Champions League elite. He has emphasized the need for the team to learn from their mistakes and improve quickly. However, he also believes that the current squad may not be deep enough to compete effectively in both the Premier League and Champions League.

To bridge the gap, Chelsea may need to invest further in the squad, particularly in key positions such as defense. Maresca's ability to integrate new players and instill a winning mentality will also be crucial in transforming Chelsea into a genuine Champions League contender.

For now, Chelsea and Enzo Maresca have earned some breathing room, but the journey to Champions League glory remains a long and arduous one. The team must address its inconsistencies, improve its discipline, and strengthen its squad to compete with the best in Europe. Only then can Chelsea realistically aspire to replicate its past successes in the Champions League.