Published: 17:00, 1 October 2025 | Updated: 17:03, 1 October 2025

Enzo Maresca is facing an end-of-season review into his future as Chelsea head coach - having been told at his appointment that he would be given at least two years before an examination of his performance.

Whereas the Italian's predecessor Mauricio Pochettino was reviewed after a single season – and he left by mutual decision following that internal assessment – Blues bosses felt their participation in the summer’s Club World Cup meant they practically faced two seasons in one.

Craving stability, they handed Maresca a five-year contract in 2024 with the option of a sixth, and earmarked summer 2026 as a potentially appropriate time to assess progress.

Barring any sudden change, that remains the plan for this summer, with Chelsea hoping they will have secured Champions League football by the time they sit down with Maresca.

That will be one key area on which the 45-year-old is judged. The Blues are already in Europe’s elite competition and believe the squad they have this season is better than the last.

When reviewing Pochettino’s position,...