Maresca finally does something Chelsea fans have been begging for after 51 minutes | OneFootball

It took just 5 minutes after half time for Enzo Maresca to make changes to the Chelsea team which had put in such a poor performance in the first half against West Ham.

The Blues came out with the same team as the one that lost that first period 1-0 to the Hammers, but after more of the same, Maresca did what he knew he had to do. He made early subs. Marc Guiu came on for Nicolas Jackson and Pedro Neto came on for Jadon Sancho with 51 minutes on the clock. Reece James went off for Malo Gusto and Noni Madueke for Christopher Nkunku just ten minutes later.

Maresca has been given constant grief from Chelsea fans for not doing this more in games they’re losing – to the point that he was actually asked about it by journalists. We complained about it plenty ourselves, and it shouldn’t take such dire situations for it to happen.

Jackson gets harsh blame – but his performances aren’t up to it

Nicolas Jackson in action against Manchester City. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

We feel a bit for Jackson, we really do. He’s been run into the ground all season and he just looks to have run out of gas now. He was still pressing like a madman today, even after he seemed to hurt himself a couple of times in the first half.

The failure over the course of two years to bring in a suitable relief option for him or some solid competition has really cost him, and now it’s costing Chelsea too. He needs a few weeks off, but all we have to replace him is a teenager in Marc Guiu, and a number 10 in Christopher Nkunku.

But there’s no doubt that whoever is at fault, his performances are worsening, and taking him off even when losing a game was understandable.