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Five-a-sideAuthor: Five-aside
This is the Five-a-side pod, essentially a futbol podcast although once in a while we will delve into other topics such as lifestyle, social/political issues, history etc Language: en Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Chelsea & Maresca New Year Shocker: Same Chaos, New Calendar
Episode 39
Thursday, 1 January, 2026
Chelsea wasted absolutely no time ringing in 2026 — because nothing says Happy New Year like managerial chaos. In this emergency Five Aside x SoccerTakesWithAK episode, we break down the shock departure of Enzo Maresca, debate whether Chelsea pulled the plug too early (again), and ask the same uncomfortable question Blues fans keep asking every season: is it the manager… or is it the board?We dive into Maresca’s public frustration with Chelsea’s medical team, the lack of backing from the hierarchy, and whether his comments were warning signs or just cracks finally showing. One side argues Maresca was set up to fail with an imbalanced squad and zero protection from above — the other says the football, the rotations, and the lack of attacking evolution simply weren’t good enough.From lost points in winning positions to Chelsea’s December collapse, from inverted full-backs to Palmer carrying the attack on his back, we unpack the numbers, the eye test, and the emotions behind yet another Stamford Bridge reset. We also debate whether Chelsea are actually missing much without Maresca, who really holds the power at the club, and why the next appointment already feels like a band-aid.Chaos, laughs, heated disagreements, wild Klopp shouts, Fabregas links, and that familiar Chelsea feeling of déjà vu — it’s all here.⏱️ Timestamps (1:17:00 episode)00:00 – New Year, New ChaosFirst pod of 2026… and Chelsea immediately provide content.03:10 – Chelsea & Maresca New Year Shocker ExplainedInitial reactions to the news and why only Chelsea could do this.07:45 – Board vs Manager: Who’s Really at Fault?Why this isn’t a one-way blame game.13:30 – The Medical Team FalloutWhat Maresca really meant with those comments and why it mattered.19:40 – “Was He Even Being Backed?”Squad support, protection from the board, and public silence.26:10 – The Football ProblemInverted full-backs, stale attacking patterns, and no Plan B.33:25 – The Numbers Don’t LieLost points, December collapse, home form, and league position reality.40:15 – Is Maresca Actually a Long-Term Coach?Tactician vs elite manager debate.46:50 – Squad Depth, Rotations & Youth MismanagementWhy Chelsea’s bench isn’t saving anyone.54:10 – Who’s Really Running Chelsea?Directors, spending, and philosophical confusion.59:45 – Next Manager TalkFabregas? Klopp? PR moves vs football sense.1:07:30 – Can Chelsea Even Compete Short-Term?City preview, expectations reset, and harsh truths.1:14:30 – Final VerdictsWas this inevitable? And are Chelsea actually moving forward?
