By Martin Graham
Chelsea secured a place in the Europa Conference League semi-finals, but the mood at Stamford Bridge was far from celebratory. A 2-1 defeat at home to Legia Warsaw in the second leg did not prevent the Blues from advancing with a 4-2 scoreline over both legs. However, the performance left fans displeased and vocal in their discontent.
Despite fielding a strong starting eleven, Chelsea lacked urgency and failed to meet manager Enzo Maresca’s call for the team to energize the supporters. Reece James, who wore the armband, didn’t shy away from criticism after the match, describing the display as below standard. He also questioned the mindset going into the clash, hinting at a lack of preparation and underestimation of the Polish club.
James, 25, suggested that the 3-0 lead from the first leg might have contributed to the drop in intensity. Marc Cucurella’s equalizer offered a brief response after Tomas Pekhart’s penalty, but Steve Kapuadi’s finish early in the second half secured the win for Legia. The result, while not damaging to Chelsea’s qualification hopes, did little to lift the atmosphere.
Maresca admitted that his side may have taken the opposition lightly rather than the tournament itself. While he acknowledged the fans’ frustrations, he said he didn’t witness any negativity from them during the match. With a trip to Fulham next on the schedule and Champions League qualification still uncertain, he underlined the need for stronger performances as the campaign nears its conclusion.
Mounting concerns in the league race
Chelsea’s inconsistency in domestic matches has become a growing issue. They have failed to win on the road in their last eight league outings, a streak that stretches back to early December, when they edged Tottenham in a dramatic encounter. At home, a previously solid unbeaten run came to an end with the recent loss to Legia.
The inability to deliver results in key fixtures has cost them ground in the Premier League standings. After drawing at Brentford and sharing points with relegation-threatened Ipswich, Chelsea now sit sixth in the table. That puts them behind Newcastle, who have climbed to third, and one point behind Manchester City. Aston Villa are level with them, adding further pressure to the race for the top five.
With just six games left in the league season, the margin for error has shrunk. Maresca remained positive, emphasizing that one win could shift the mood. The upcoming West London derby presents an opportunity to rebuild momentum and strengthen their position.
Misfiring forwards hinder progress
A worrying drought in front of goal continues to plague Chelsea’s attacking unit. Several key players have gone extended periods without finding the net, a trend that is beginning to impact the team’s ability to secure wins. Cole Palmer has not scored in 15 consecutive matches, while Nicolas Jackson is goalless in his last 12. Christopher Nkunku has also gone eight games without scoring.
Jadon Sancho, who had been without a goal for 21 matches before scoring against Ipswich, exemplifies the broader issues facing Chelsea’s forward line. In a bid to improve match sharpness and perhaps revive form, Maresca included both Palmer and Jackson in the lineup against Legia. He hoped they would benefit from added minutes and possibly regain confidence with a goal.
Instead, the spotlight fell on left-back Marc Cucurella, who now leads the team in scoring since mid-December with six goals. Maresca acknowledged that the team has missed several straightforward chances and expressed hope that his forwards will rediscover their scoring touch soon. He stressed the importance of Palmer and Jackson to the squad’s success but admitted that relying on a defender for goals was not a sustainable strategy.
Martin Graham is an MFF sports writer
