Chelsea Faces Challenging Week with Mourinho's Return and Liverpool Match
Chelsea is poised for a significant week ahead.
Jose Mourinho, a revered figure in the club's history, will return to West London as the manager of Benfica for their Champions League match on Tuesday.
Then, on Saturday, the defending Premier League champions, Liverpool, will visit Stamford Bridge.
This is not the ideal scenario for Blues manager Enzo Maresca, who is navigating a challenging period with only one win in the last five matches, that victory coming against League One side Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup.
Recent weeks have seen a shift in the external narrative surrounding Maresca's position.
At the start of the season, Maresca's job seemed to be one of the most secure in the league, having led Chelsea to a top-four finish in the Premier League, which secured their return to the Champions League.
Later in the summer, he also guided the team to victory in the FIFA Club World Cup, becoming the inaugural winners in the tournament's new format.
However, despite these significant achievements, Maresca's role has come under scrutiny due to Chelsea's inconsistent start to the season, currently placing them eighth in the table, seven points behind leaders Liverpool.
Nonetheless, there is no major concern at Stamford Bridge regarding the team's early-season struggles, as sources from BBC Sport indicate that Maresca retains the full confidence of the club as they approach this high-stakes week.
'Plan to Judge Maresca at the End of the Season'
Internally, there is a sentiment at Chelsea that the criticism of their start has been somewhat exaggerated.
It is acknowledged that there may be fluctuations this season, particularly due to a disrupted pre-season caused by their participation in the Club World Cup and the added demands of the Champions League campaign.
While recent defeats to Manchester United and Brighton have been disappointing, and there is recognition that their form needs to improve, Chelsea is taking a broader perspective.
Since May, they have lost only five matches, and in four of those defeats, Maresca's team has played with ten men.
Additionally, the club stood by him last season despite a mid-winter slump that saw them win only three out of twelve matches, one of those victories occurring against Morecambe in the FA Cup.
The plan is to evaluate Maresca at the end of the season, with a top-four finish in the league and deep runs in cup competitions as the targets for the 45-year-old manager.
There is also a prevailing belief that the squad is significantly stronger than it was last season, which may elevate expectations for Maresca.
However, there is a consensus that the campaign should be assessed in its entirety.
Key figures within the club agree that managing injuries, especially with their Champions League commitments, will present a challenge this season.
The efforts made to strengthen the squad over the summer were aimed at providing Maresca with the resources necessary to rotate players effectively amid this increased workload.
It remains to be seen if the support for Maresca will diminish should the team's early-season form fail to improve.
As they enter this crucial week, the Blues manager enjoys the full backing of the club's key stakeholders.