Frank Leboeuf has issued a stark warning to Chelsea supporters after their 3-1 loss to Flamengo, branding any excessive expectations as “silly.” The Blues had been introduced again right down to earth following their opening Membership World Cup win, as a resilient Flamengo facet overturned Pedro Neto’s early aim.
Chelsea’s second-half collapse left Enzo Maresca’s facet uncovered, as they conceded thrice in a disjointed displaying that highlighted recurring considerations. Leboeuf believes the membership’s give attention to signing younger gamers—like latest £30m arrival Liam Delap—will proceed to hinder their Premier League title possibilities.
He insisted Chelsea’s inconsistency is the results of a fragile setup, warning that except expertise is added, the group will wrestle to succeed in high ranges once more. “That is what occurs,” he stated. “You guess on youth and hope for greatness, however generally it simply falls aside with out veteran management.”
The Frenchman prompt final season’s fourth-place end owed extra to the league’s poor high quality than Chelsea’s power, citing erratic performances. Maresca has confronted criticism regardless of guiding Chelsea to a European spot and profitable the Convention League, however he continues to belief his developmental strategy.
Issues went from unhealthy to worse in opposition to Flamengo when Nicolas Jackson obtained a straight purple card simply minutes after being substituted in. The striker’s problem on Ayrton Lucas was reckless, including to Chelsea’s woes and reflecting a sample of hot-headed errors in essential video games.
Jackson, who was additionally despatched off in opposition to Newcastle final month, later apologised on Instagram on his twenty fourth birthday, calling the second unintentional. “I’m so indignant at myself,” he wrote. “I let the membership, my teammates, and the followers down. I’ll mirror and are available again stronger.”
Leboeuf’s evaluation echoed John Obi Mikel’s latest criticism of Jackson, who additionally questioned the striker’s psychological readiness for top-level competitors. With Chelsea nonetheless adjusting underneath Maresca, each pundits urged the membership to rethink its technique in the event that they genuinely need to compete with Metropolis and Liverpool.
