We know what Chelsea fans think because words are scarcely minced on social media. We know what Enzo Maresca thinks via his twice-weekly press conferences. We know what the players think with Cole Palmer showing his frustration after their latest loss at Brighton.
At director and ownership level, they too are frustrated. They want to win, their pain is acute and there is an acceptance within that the team are living a bad moment, with no desire to hide from a form guide which shows two victories in nine Premier League matches.
But just as Chelsea refused to join in with the title talk which accompanied the first half of the season, neither are they allowing the overwhelming external negativity to affect them internally now. It is a painful period and nobody is pretending otherwise but, overall, the belief remains that they have something to work with, to build on, to strive towards under Maresca with a very big 13-game Premier League run-in coming up.
After Confidential spent this week sourcing the vibe inside the club, it is clear the 45-year-old Italian maintains support as we enter the home straight. Chelsea are sixth and the immediate focus is on finishing higher, while hopefully winning the Conference League.
Part of that process will involve Chelsea’s young team learning to hate losing and the players are feeling that after two defeats by Brighton in seven days, first in the FA Cup and then the Premier League. Maresca told his team what’s what after Friday’s 3-0 loss at the Amex Stadium – that their opponents had wanted the win more and that injuries could not be used as an easy excuse.
Whatever happens, come the end of the campaign, all will be analysed at Chelsea. They will look at where they can improve and what is missing, and they are already asking Maresca what help he needs while he searches for answers as a young head coach in his first Premier League campaign.
Enzo Maresca is struggling to arrest a slump in form after a bright start as Chelsea head coach
Chelsea’s star man Cole Palmer is out of form and cutting a frustrated figure in recent weeks
Chelsea’s owners are frustrated with the team’s dip in form but they are standing by Maresca
CHILL OUT… THERE’S NO CLAUSE IN PALMER’S CONTRACT
Chelsea fans are naturally concerned what missing out on Champions League football would mean for their club, including whether they would be at risk of losing Cole Palmer.
However, Confidential can confirm there is no release clause relating to Europe’s elite competition in his contract. Nor will Chelsea entertain offers for the 22-year-old Englishman.
Palmer extended his stay at Stamford Bridge at the start of the season, tying himself down for the next nine years with improved terms as a reward for his record-breaking first campaign.
TRUTH ABOUT LOANEE IN ‘EXILE’
Chelsea loanee Alfie Gilchrist has not been told by Sheffield United he will be exiled for the remainder of their season, but the 21-year-old does find himself in a challenging situation with the Championship high-flyers, as we will explain.
After starting 26 of their 29 league games up until February, Gilchrist has been left out of Chris Wilder’s last three match-day squads as EFL rules state clubs can only name a maximum of five loan players.
After January additions, that quota is being filled by Rob Holding, Harry Clarke, Hamza Choudhury, Ben Brereton Diaz and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.
While disappointing for Gilchrist, Confidential has learned the Cobham graduate was previously playing with a minor groin strain when Wilder’s options were limited. If nothing else, this is now affording the youngster, who can play at right back or centre back, time to recover.
United could have sent him back to Chelsea last month but they wanted him to stay. It would only take one suspension or injury for him to come back into contention under Wilder, who has praised Gilchrist for his professionalism since being squeezed out of the squad.
Alfie Gilchrist has lost his place in the Sheffield United team due to restrictions on loan players
SPURS’ FA ESCAPE FOR MISSILES
Chelsea fans will remember their December trip to Tottenham, not only for how it was the last time they won away in the Premier League but for their players being targeted by missiles.
That included Cole Palmer, who was pelted as he went to take a corner in front of the South Stand.
Before the match, Spurs fans in that end created a gigantic tifo which read ‘audere est facere’ – Latin for ‘to dare is to do’ – but a minority of miscreants forced the game to be paused when they scrunched up those pieces of paper and aimed them at the pitch.
It was cruel on THFC Flags, who organised the display, as it takes a small army of volunteers and a great deal of work to set up with 17,000 cards involved in this particular showing.
The FA have now delivered their verdict on a possible punishment to the club and although many expected a hefty fine, Confidential can reveal Tottenham have escaped with a slap on the wrist as the FA have merely reminded Spurs of their responsibilities.
BOEHLY SET TO SPEAK OUT
Get ready to hear from Todd Boehly, who is due to speak in person at the Business of Football Summit in London on Thursday, February 27.
Confidants are refusing to say what he plans on discussing, with a 25-minute interview to be conducted by the Financial Times’ finance and markets editor Arash Massoudi.
Possible topics include the Chelsea recruitment model, his working relationship with Clearlake Capital, the future of Stamford Bridge, Enzo Maresca succeeding Mauricio Pochettino and the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
ABRAMOVICH’S EU SANCTIONS
It was claimed earlier this month that the EU had officially amended its sanctions justification against Roman Abramovich, removing suggestions he financially benefited from the Russian government.
That news was shared well by Chelsea supporters across social media. However, following a check with the relevant authorities, we are told that claim is incorrect.
FIRST PREMIER LEAGUE START FOR ACADEMY STARLET?
Tyrique George could be asked to step up in Noni Madueke’s absence with Enzo Maresca considering whether the 19-year-old is ready for his first-ever Premier League start.
Chelsea face two games in four days – Aston Villa away on Saturday then Southampton at home on Tuesday – and George could complete a Cobham-made right-hand side with Reece James.
Both were brought on in the 65th minute of Friday’s loss to Brighton and George’s directness, along with a willingness to break in behind, brought danger to the Blues’ right wing.
While still somewhat raw, insiders say the academy winger has impressed since being permanently promoted to the first team in December by holding his own in training.
Tyrique George (pictured) could get his first Premier League start in the coming days
He may get his opportunity to impress after Noni Madueke picked up an injury last week
NEW BLUES BLOOD INCOMING
New appointments klaxon. Chelsea have hired Woody Dewar as their new head of performance analysis after James Melbourne departed to join Thomas Tuchel’s England staff.
Dewar was most recently a first-team analyst with Gary O’Neil at Wolves, having previously worked at Watford, Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Tottenham in various capacities. The Blues are also searching for another new first-team performance analyst to work with him.
TEENAGE TALENT TIED DOWN
We all know Chelsea want to find the finest young talents going in the game, and they are not alone in that regard, but one teenager who has been attracting Premier League and European interest is set to be tied down at Aston Villa. That is Ben Broggio, the technically-talented 18-year-old attacker who we can confirm is close to agreeing a new contract with Villa.
KERR RETURNS TO CHELSEA AFTER COURTROOM SAGA
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Jadon Sancho has ‘deceived’ Chelsea and Reece James ‘can’t speak to Enzo’: Ex-Blues star opens fire
Fresh from her courtroom saga, Sam Kerr was in the stands for Chelsea’s victory over Everton at Kingsmeadow on Sunday, watching on as Lauren James secured a ‘Fergie Time’ winner to extend their lead to seven points at the top of the table.
The Australia international was cleared of racially aggravated harassment against a police officer by a jury at Kingston Crown Court last week, and she was making her first appearance at a Blues match since prior to her trial.
The 31-year-old has not played for Chelsea since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in January last year and was also seen working at Cobham this week, though she has not yet returned to full team training under Sonia Bompastor.
