Overview

• Coordinated briefings to UK outlets state Maresca retains the full confidence of the board and sporting directors, with any formal appraisal set for the end of the season.
• Chelsea have one win in five across competitions after losses to Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Brighton, with four of their last five defeats coming after red cards and the only 11‑v‑11 loss at Bayern.
• Co-owner Behdad Eghbali and senior executives entered the dressing room after the Brighton defeat, which Maresca described as a routine post-match meeting that did not involve addressing players.
• Club targets remain Champions League qualification and cup runs, with leadership pointing to last season’s mid-season recovery and recent trophies as reasons to stay the course.
• This week brings Benfica in Europe and Liverpool in the league, while injury context includes Cole Palmer not requiring groin surgery and due back after the next international break, and Liam Delap expected to return in about eight weeks.