'Trigger-happy' - warning over Chelsea manager's future issued ahead of Aston Villa clash

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has come under pressure in the past few weeks after winning just three of their last 11 matches.

It looked almost certain that the Blues would finish in the Champions League places, but doubts have been cast over whether they are good enough to finish well this season due to their recent form.

They lost their last two games against Brighton, one in the FA Cup, and the most recent being a 3-0 defeat in the Premier League. Maresca must see improvement in his team if he is to remain as Chelsea manager for the long term.

Former Premier League scout talks of “serious concerns” at Chelsea

Maresca had just one year of managerial experience before joining Chelsea as he had helped Leicester City to promotion last season in the Championship. However, the Italian had been under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City for some years, learning from one of the best. But his side’s recent form has put him under pressure.

Former Premier League scout Mick Brown says that Maresca could be sacked within weeks if results don’t improve. He told Football Insider: “The biggest problem at Chelsea is the lack of stability in the side.

“They’ve got some good assets, but at the back the solidity just isn’t there, and then that spreads throughout the team and the performances. That doesn’t bode well for anybody and it saps the confidence from these players. I don’t see that steel in Chelsea, and it’s something the manager absolutely has to address. And when you keep losing games, then the pressure starts to build on the manager.

“They’re in a terrible run of form at the moment, and they’ll need to turn things around within the next few weeks or you can see the board making a decision.“

Chelsea want defensive reinforcements in the summer transfer window

As Brown has said, Chelsea’s vulnerabilities lie in defensive areas. They have conceded 34 goals, one less than Manchester United who sit 15th in the Premier League table. If they didn’t have top attacking talent such as Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke, they could be in a much worse position in the league table.

However, according to recent transfer rumours, it looks as though Chelsea will address their defence in summer. They have been linked with Nottingham Forest cente-back Murillo. The Brazilian has helped Forest concede just 29 goals so far this season, as they sit third in the league table after 25 matches. Chelsea reportedly had a bid for Murillo rejected during the January transfer window.

Furthermore, Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen has also been linked to Chelsea, although Premier League rivals Liverpool are also said to be keen on the Spanish centre-back. Interest remains in Crystal Palace and England centre-back Marc Guehi, who has also been subject to bids from Newcastle United and Tottenham this season, so could be difficult to land. In other news, a former Arsenal and Manchester United player has landed his first major managerial job.