“Whichever way you look at it” – Joe Cole makes interesting Chelsea claim, fans likely to be divided | OneFootball

Joe Cole has backed Enzo Maresca to stay at Chelsea regardless of how the season ends, and believes improvements have been made.

Maresca was appointed at Mauricio Pochettino’s successor last summer and signed a five year deal at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian is on course to deliver Champions League football and win the Conference League, but the final two games will have a big bearing on Chelsea’s immediate future.

Cole backs Maresca to stay

Chelsea must beat Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday to guarantee their return to a competition they have previously won twice.

It’s very much been a season of two halves with Chelsea flying high in second before Christmas and they’ve now dropped to fifth, but the Blues think Maresca can become one of the best in the industry.

Maresca is under pressure to deliver Champions League football. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Maresca is said to be safe in his job regardless of what happens, and Cole feels the Italian should remain whatever the outcome of the final two games is.

“You’ve fans going, ‘get rid of him, if Chelsea don’t make Champions League and don’t win the trophy. I said disaster.,'” he told talkSPORT as cited on X.com.

“But ultimately, it’s an improvement, whichever way you look at it. If Chelsea don’t get Champions League and they lose in the cup final by a slender margin, it’s been improvement on what we’ve seen.

“So you have to go, right? What do we want to do now? Do we go to throw the baby out with the bath water and start again? I just think Enzo needs more time. I think he’s made an improvement. And these boys will get better.”

Chelsea face critical summer

Regardless of how the season ends Chelsea are facing a critical summer in the transfer market, and can’t afford to have another poor window.

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The Blues are looking to sign a striker, centre back and right footed attacker to bolster Maresca’s squad and have been linked with the likes of Nico Williams, Marc Guehi and Liam Delap.

Whoever Chelsea end up signing it’s vital they add quality players with leadership and experience to improve the first team.