Enzo Maresca certainly won over the Chelsea fanbase with a solid debut year as their manager. However, he’s just been sent a warning about his future going into the new season.

Chelsea took a bit of a punt a year ago when they appointed Enzo Maresca, 45, as their head coach.

The Italian boss should be thrilled with his first campaign at Stamford Bridge, securing fourth position in the Premier League. He followed that by winning both the Conference League and Club World Cup, too.

Matches Wins Draws Losses Trophies 64 41 9 14 2

Enzo Maresca’s record at Chelsea

Chelsea’s owners were delighted with Maresca after he wrapped up Champions League qualification during his debut year, so to follow it up with a couple of pieces of silverware was an extra bonus.

Enzo Maresca wearing his medal after Chelsea beat Paris Saint-Germain to win the Club World Cup.Photo by Carl Recine – FIFA/FIFA via Getty ImagesEnzo Maresca warned Chelsea must start quickly in 2025/26 season

According to talkSPORT’s Jeff Stelling, Chelsea need to ensure they make a quick start in the Premier League when the new season begins in mid-August. If not, he fears that Maresca could start to feel some heat.

When asked which Premier League managers could be under pressure if their seasons start badly, Stelling told talkSPORT: “Chelsea, sorry Chelsea fans, Club World Cup winners, spent a fortune. Enzo Maresca needs to deliver because now he’s under pressure. There will be expectation on him. They have four London derbies in their first four games. Then Man Utd away, Brighton at home, Liverpool at home, Nottingham Forest away. It’s a tough, tough start, and they’ve not had much of a break.

“If they start poorly, I think people will be saying we expect more than that. People do expect more than that at Chelsea now… Chelsea will be expected to produce in the Premier League. Enzo Maresca will be expected to produce in the Premier League as well.

“I’m not saying he’s going to get sacked after eight games or anything like that. In actual fact, they might have a terrific start. Those London derbies – Palace at home, West Ham away, Fulham at home, Brentford away – they could win them all. But if they don’t, I’m just saying that he would be under pressure.”

It feels like Chelsea and Maresca go into the new year with a lot of momentum behind them, but it’s true that a few bad results can change everything. Hopefully, they can pick up where they left off, winning 14 of their previous 16 games across all competitions.

Maresca’s target is another top-four finish in the Premier League. We think that should be well within the team’s reach because of their quality and improvement.

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca arriving ahead of the Club World Cup final against Paris Saint-Germain.Photo by Hector Vivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty ImagesChelsea fixtures in the Premier League

As mentioned above, Chelsea won’t be leaving the capital in the early weeks of the Premier League season because of their consecutive run of London derbies.

We’re confident that the Blues can make a positive start to the new season, and Maresca definitely shouldn’t feel under pressure because everything is clicking into place under his watch.

Levi Colwill expects teams to be desperate to beat Chelsea as they hold the tag of world champions after lifting the Club World Cup. While it’s great to see the young Blues squad shine in cup competitions, they will be largely judged by finding consistency in the league.