'Naive': Michael Owen suggests Enzo Maresca made a huge tactical blunder that actually cost Chelsea v Man City

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After Chelsea’s 3-1 defeat against Manchester City, Enzo Maresca’s side have now won just one out of their last seven Premier League games.

Chelsea finally returned to winning ways against Wolves last weekend and it seemed like they had turned a corner but against Pep Guardiola’s men, it’s safe to say that they flattered to deceive after taking an early lead.

Abdukodir Khusanov made a nightmare start to his Manchester City debut by inexplicably trying to head the ball as his weak attempt fell into Nicolas Jackson’s path who set Noni Madueke up three minutes into the contest.

At the time, it seemed like the stars had aligned for Chelsea to finally beat City for the first time since the Champions League final in 2021.

But their big names failed to step up to the plate, with Gary Neville criticising Reece James’ display against Manchester City as he was one of many who had an off day.

Enzo Maresca questioned Robert Sanchez against Manchester City as well, hinting that he doubts whether he will be his starting goalkeeper in the long run as the Spaniard made a clanger by rushing out of his box for Haaland’s goal.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca called out for man-to-man tactic vs Man City

Enzo Maresca will undoubtedly be frustrated as Paris Saint-Germain showed mid-week that this City side is there for the taking but on the day, Chelsea were deservedly beaten.

However, Michael Owen suggested that the Italian manager made a mistake with going man-to-man against Manchester City.

The pundit stated that a goalkeeper with Ederson Moraes’ world-class distribution and a striker as physically imposing and rapid as Haaland were inevitably going to exploit such a tactic as City went long for two out of their three goals.

Michael Owen told Premier League Productions: “As Shaun [Wright-Phillips] says, it’s exactly the same, everybody’s man for man all over the place.”

“If you’re playing against Manchester City or let’s say you are Manchester City and you know they’re going to go man for man, why wouldn’t you just put all 10 of your men in your own half and then leave [Erling] Haaland up front on his own one-v-one?”

Owen added: “You’ve got a goalkeeper who can put it on a six pence and you’re just pinging it up to Haaland, he either turns and outmuscles his man like he does for the first goal. Or he touches the ball and waits for a runner running past and flicks it past.”

“Two identical goals that as I say, I think it’s naive play.”

Chelsea, who were challenging for the title at the start of the season now find themselves in a real fight to get top four as they have dropped down to sixth place, with both Manchester City and Newcastle United in better form than them.

Enzo Maresca demands high standards at Chelsea behind the scenes, constantly coaching the players and giving them feedback. Jadon Sancho revealed Maresca instantly impressed him, which highlights why he has largely looked like the right man for the job.

What Erling Haaland said after Man City vs Chelsea exposes Enzo Maresca’s mistake

After the contest, Haaland explained how Manchester City exploited Chelsea’s man-to-man structure as he combined with Ederson to wreak havoc against the visitors.

The Norwegian told Sky Sports: “I think Chelsea went really quickly, man-for-man and there was loads of space because obviously, the line is really high so as you’ve seen before, Ederson has given me a couple of assists and I know how precise he can be.”

“So it’s about having the right timing with me and him because everyone has a man and it’s difficult to play. So, sometimes, even Manchester City can go quite direct and I think that’s a good thing.”

Omar Marmoush referred to Haaland as a “goal-machine” and he showed that, using his searing pace, incredible strength and lethal finishing to good effect by bullying the likes of Trevoh Chalobah and Levi Colwill for his and Foden’s goal.

The 24-year-old is devastating when given open space to run into, which made Enzo Maresca’s setup all the more peculiar.

William Saliba has kept Haaland quiet before, with Arsenal as a whole being touch-tight on him, as have teams like Liverpool and Real Madrid.

Enzo Maresca’s tactics played into the star striker and Manchester City’s hands as they ultimately won the game quite comfortably.

Chelsea’s next game is against West Ham United and they will have to bounce back as slowly but surely, their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League will start fading away if they keep dropping crucial points.