Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is navigating a challenging debut season, striving to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League while also competing in the Conference League knockout rounds. Despite the team’s fluctuating form, the club’s hierarchy and players continue to back Maresca’s tactical approach. However, former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has pointed out a key area where the Chelsea boss needs to make a decisive change—his selection of wingers.
Merson believes Chelsea’s frequent changes in the wide attacking positions are hindering the team’s rhythm and effectiveness in the final third. As the Blues prepare for their upcoming clash against Leicester City, he has urged Maresca to establish a consistent pairing of wingers. Speaking to Sportskeeda, Merson emphasized that the constant rotation of Chelsea’s front three has made it difficult for the players to build chemistry. He suggested that selecting the same two wingers for an extended run of games could help improve the team’s overall performance.
A closer look at Chelsea’s recent fixtures highlights the inconsistency in the wide areas. Over the past month, Maresca has shuffled his starting wingers multiple times, often switching between Christopher Nkunku, Jadon Sancho, Pedro Neto, Tyrique George, and Cole Palmer. This instability has been further complicated by injuries, with Noni Madueke and Mykhailo Mudryk both unavailable. The frequent changes, while sometimes necessitated by circumstances, have prevented the team from settling into a rhythm.
One player who stands out in Chelsea’s attack is Pedro Neto. Since his arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer, the Portuguese winger has shown glimpses of his immense talent, despite being deployed as an emergency striker on occasion. With five goals and seven assists in 31 appearances, Neto has proven his ability to contribute in the final third. Although he admitted in February that he has yet to reach his peak form, his speed, dribbling skills, and creative spark make him a strong candidate for a starting role on either wing.
Moving forward, Maresca’s challenge will be to establish a more settled attacking lineup. While tactical flexibility is important, consistent team selection could be the key to unlocking Chelsea’s attacking potential. Pairing Neto with the ever-reliable Cole Palmer might provide the stability Chelsea needs as they push for a top-four finish. If Maresca takes Merson’s advice and commits to a clear wing partnership, Chelsea may finally find the attacking fluency they have been missing this season.
