Paul Merson shares the one thing Enzo Maresca now 'needs to learn' in wake of making 'bad mistake' at Chelsea

01/03/2025 02:15 AM

Chelsea have enjoyed a decent first half of the season under Enzo Maresca, moving into the top four of the Premier League and flying in the Europa Conference League.

However, the Blues stumbled during the festive period, drawing against Everton and losing to Fulham and Ipswich Town in the Premier League.

Chelsea’s defeat to Ipswich came as a particular shock, with Kieran McKenna’s newly-promoted side having won just two league games prior to the Blues match.

Now, Paul Merson has claimed that Enzo Maresca made a “bad mistake” in the Ipswich game and shared what the Chelsea boss “needs to learn” going forward.

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Paul Merson says Nicolas Jackson should start for Chelsea in away games

Merson, writing on Sportskeeda, believes Maresca should not have started Christopher Nkunku against Ipswich.

Instead, the Chelsea boss should have gone for Nicolas Jackson up front, as he “gives you the energy up front” in tricky away games.

“I think the one thing that Enzo Maresca needs to learn is that when Chelsea play away from home, he has to start with Nicolas Jackson,” wrote Merson.

“It was a bad mistake playing Christopher Nkunku at Ipswich. Jackson gives you the energy up front in such games and holds the ball up really well.

“Maresca got that selection horribly wrong and Chelsea paid the price for it!”

Merson, looking ahead to Chelsea’s Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace, also backed the Blues to win 2-1 at Selhurst Park.

How the media rated Nkunku display against Ipswich

Merson is not the only media figure to note how Nkunku simply wasn’t the right choice for the Ipswich game.

The Evening Standard gave Nkunku a rating of 4 out of 10 and wrote: “Ineffective as a No. 9 in this kind of game. Another hooked when Blues needed goals.”

Meanwhile, football.london went with a 5 out of 10 and wrote: “Should have done a lot better around 20 minutes in with a rebound from Palmer’s free-kick which struck the post. Too quiet as the No. 9.”

Chelsea fans raved about Liam Delap after he shone for Ipswich against their side, with some even calling for the Blues to sign him.