Gary Neville Questions Enzo Maresca’s Credentials After Chelsea’s Defeat to Sunderland
Chelsea’s recent stumble has reignited debate around Enzo Maresca’s managerial credentials, with former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville questioning whether the Blues’ boss truly ranks among the Premier League’s elite.
The Blues currently sit ninth in the 2025/26 Premier League table after winning four of their opening nine games, following a frustrating last-minute 2–1 defeat to Sunderland at Stamford Bridge.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Diff | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Liverpool | 9 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 16 | 14 | 2 | 15 |
| 8 | Aston Villa | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 15 |
| 9 | Chelsea | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 11 | 6 | 14 |
| 10 | Crystal Palace | 9 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 13 |
| 11 | Brentford | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 13 |
The loss ended a four-game winning streak across all competitions and left frustration mounting among Chelsea supporters who expected their team to continue climbing the table.
Neville: “Chelsea are up and down like a yo-yo”
Speaking on Sky Sports, Gary Neville did not hold back in his assessment of Chelsea’s inconsistency and questioned whether Maresca — and other Premier League managers — are extracting enough from their squads.
“Chelsea, again, inconsistent,” Neville said. “What you want in life, particularly in a high-performance environment, is consistency and reliability. Chelsea were fantastic against Liverpool a few weeks ago, but they were awful at Old Trafford before that — that’s not good enough.
“The money that’s been spent on these squads means the managers have to get more out of them. Is it the players that have been recruited, or are the managers not at the same level as before? That’s the question.”
Neville added that while the Premier League once boasted some of the best tactical minds in Europe, there has been a noticeable dip in overall coaching quality across top clubs — Chelsea included.
“For Chelsea, they’ll be really frustrated,” he concluded. “They’re up and down like a yo-yo.”
Maresca Under Pressure After Sunderland Defeat
While Chelsea’s players came under criticism for their lack of sharpness, Maresca also faced scrutiny for his in-game decisions — notably the substitution of Alejandro Garnacho, who had just scored his first goal for the club.
The decision surprised fans and pundits alike, especially given Garnacho’s growing confidence in attack.
Adding to Chelsea’s woes, the team conceded from a long throw-in for the second time in as many league matches — the same scenario that cost them points against Brentford earlier in the campaign. Despite reports suggesting Maresca’s squad had worked specifically on defending set plays, the weakness resurfaced at a crucial moment.
Injury Woes Offer Limited Comfort
Chelsea’s lengthy injury list has provided some context for their uneven form, but as Neville noted, the club’s resources and talent pool mean expectations remain high.
With key fixtures against Aston Villa and Liverpool approaching, the coming weeks could be vital for Maresca to restore momentum and quieten doubts about his managerial pedigree.
Chelsea Fans’ Perspective
Many supporters have remained patient with Maresca, acknowledging the tactical evolution he’s trying to instil. However, questions are beginning to surface about whether his approach can consistently deliver results at the elite level demanded by Chelsea’s history and ambition.
The manager’s next few games may determine whether he can steady the ship — or whether external voices like Neville’s begin to reflect growing internal pressure at Stamford Bridge.
