It's the business end for Chelsea, as although the title race and relegation spots have been settled early, some huge games remain in the fight for Europe.
All eyes will be on the battle for a Champions League place over the final two weekends of the season, as it currently looks like five teams will be battling it out for the three spots behind Liverpool and Arsenal.
Chelsea are one of these sides seeking a return to Europe's biggest club competition and it would appear that what happens over the next fortnight will have a huge say in what happens at the club this summer.
Enzo Maresca landed the Chelsea job last summer, with the former Manchester City coach's 2023/24 Championship-winning campaign with Leicester City catching the eye of the Stamford Bridge hierarchy, following Mauricio Pochettino's exit. FourFourTwo ranked Maresca at no.44 in our list of the game's best managers back in October.
But Chelsea and managerial stability have often been mutually exclusive concepts in recent years and another change could be on the cards this summer, according to a report from TEAMtalk.
They claim that Maresca's double-headed pursuit of a Champions League place and the Europa Conference League trophy could be 'crucial' in determining the Italian's future.
The Blues currently sit fifth in the Premier League table, ahead of Aston Villa on goal difference and a point ahead of Nottingham Forest. Third-placed Newcastle United are three points clear of Chelsea, with Manchester City two points better off than Maresca's side, who have matches against Manchester United and Forest to come, ahead of the Europa Conference League final against Real Betis.
The report adds that while these three games will be key for Maresca, there are members of the board that do not believe the manager's slow, patient playing style suits the Premier League and want to see more consistency and identity.
While Maresca does have support from others on the board, the report claims Maresca 'is not longer considered untouchable'.
A decision, therefore, will be made at the end of the season, with the club aware that Maresca still have four years of the five-year deal he signed last summer remaining, meaning he would be due significant compensation if the club do decide to swing the axe.
In FourFourTwo's view, we are accustomed to not being surprised by Chelsea's wheeling and dealing, whether that's players or managers, but the Italian has done a solid job with a sprawling squad and should he get the club back into the Champions League, letting him go would be a questionable decision.
[(Shimizu S-Pulse) Weakness]: 1. Shimizu S-Pulse are 13th in the J1 League table. Facing 2nd-placed Kashima Antlers, they will find it hard to win this match due to their declining form, indicating doubtful motivation.2. Shimizu S-Pulse defender Yuji Takahashi and forward Sena Saito will miss this league game due to injuries.3. Shimizu S-Pulse were winless with 2 draws and 3 losses in the last 5 g...
Liverpool table fresh Guehi bidAccording to The Athletic, Liverpool have submitted a fresh bid worth £35 million ($47m) to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The Reds had earlier seen two bids rejected by the Eagles, but they remain hopeful that this time the offer will be accepted.Fenerbahce eyeing move for EdersonTurkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce are eyeing a move for out-of-favour Manc...
Roma medical for Liverpool fullback TsimikasAS Roma are holding a medical for Kostas Tsimikas today.The Liverpool fullback is leaving Anfield after finding himself third-choice this season behind fellow left-backs Andrew Robertson and Milos Kerkez.La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Greece international is expected in Italy today to finalise his move.Tsimikas will undergo a medical ahead of signing a...
FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-FULHAMMarco Silva has demanded an explanation from the Premier League after lambasting three "shocking" refereeing decisions in Fulham's 2-0 Premier League loss at Chelsea.WHAT HAPPENED?The Whites thought they had taken the lead against their west London rivals Chelsea when 18-year-old Josh King coolly slotted past Robert Sanchez. However, the goal was chalked off by referee Rob...
[(Shonan Bellmare) Strength]: 1. Shonan Bellmare are one of the bottom teams in the table, taking 25 points and being in the relegation zone. They are strongly motivated to grab points.[(Shonan Bellmare) Neutral]: 1. Shonan Bellmare drew the last 4 home games, revealing mediocre home performances.[(Shonan Bellmare) Weakness]: 1. Shonan Bellmare lost 1-0 to Fagiano Okayama on the road in the last g...
Manchester United Training Session And Press Conference - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Chelsea have completed the signing of Alejandro Garnacho from Manchester United.WHAT HAPPENED?Garnacho has signed a seven-year contract with the Blues after the two Premier League clubs agreed a deal worth a fixed £40 million fee ($54m) with a 10 per cent sell-on clause, Goal understands. The 21-year-old ha...
Marc Guehi Crystal Palace 2025-26Liverpool have launched a fresh bid for Marc Guehi as they hope that Crystal Palace will finally accept their proposal and agree to sell their star defender before the summer transfer window closes on Monday. The Reds have been linked with a move for the England international throughout the summer and the champions are determined to secure his signature.WHAT HAPPEN...
West Ham United v Lille OSC - Pre-Season FriendlyAston Villa are close to signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta on an initial loan with an obligation to buy next summer.WHAT HAPPENED?Villa are on the brink of agreeing a £47 million (€54m/$63m) package for Paqueta which includes a loan fee and add-ons, according to Fabrizio Romano. The report also states the 28-year-old has ac...
[(Nagoya Grampus) Strength]: 1. Nagoya Grampus currently have only 28 points and are near the bottom of the league table. To avoid relegation, they need to earn points.[(Nagoya Grampus) Neutral]: 1. Nagoya Grampus' 7 successive games ended with OVER.[(Nagoya Grampus) Weakness]: 1. Nagoya Grampus lost 2-4 to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their last Emperor's Cup game, with poor performance.2. In the lates...
Cody Gakpo Liverpool 2025Premier League champions Liverpool have confirmed that star attacker Cody Gakpo has put pen to paper on a new long-term contract, which has extended his stay at Anfield beyond 2028. The Dutchman who joined the club in January 2023, during the Jurgen Klopp era, has established himself as a regular starter under new boss Arne Slot and has now committed his future to the Reds...
