Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca insisted that speculation around his future would not distract his squad before facing Newcastle – but that was not how it looked for 45 minutes on Saturday.
Even before kick-off, Maresca appeared to question Chelsea’s focus on buying only youth, suggesting having more experienced players is “invaluable”.
The Blues then did not get going at St James’ Park, a ground where they had lost 15 times in the Premier League era, and found themselves 2-0 down through a pair of first-half goals from striker Nick Woltemade.
So poor was the first half that Chelsea gave up an expected goals figure of 1.97 – their worst in a first 45 minutes for more than two years. They were error-prone at the back, wasteful in possession, out battled and failed to register a shot on target.
The lack of performance was staggering given Chelsea had produced an accomplished display when beating Everton at home last weekend. That form was more in evidence after the break as they roared back through an outstanding 25-yard free-kick from Reece James and a brilliant individual goal from Joao Pedro.
Despite the improvement by Chelsea they were still reliant on a key call going their way as Newcastle controversially saw penalty shouts waved away moments before Pedro equalised when Trevoh Chalobah clattered into Anthony Gordon in the box.
It felt at times that Maresca’s post-match comments from last week – in which he said “many people” had caused his “worst 48 hours” since joining the club – were continuing to impact the players.
Since those comments, the Italian had been linked with Manchester City – speculation he labelled “100 per cent” unfounded – and had his relationship with the hierarchy continually to be questioned.
He also offered some thoughts on the make-up of his squad prior to the match that suggested he would welcome a bit more experience.
Earlier in the week, he said: “I love the squad, I love young players” and before kick-off he told TNT: “I’m very happy. I just focus on what I can control – pitch-side – knowing that there is always noise you need to manage.”
However, he then added: “When you have 20 and 21-year-olds and a player who is 30 or 31, and he starts to say something to them, it’s invaluable. But it’s the strategy of the club.”
Was this just another example of Maresca lowering expectations and highlighting what part of the project was in his control?
He was also fighting for the players, even earning a booking for dissent in the second half as they managed a creditable fightback.
This was only the fourth time in the Premier League that Chelsea avoided defeat having been two or more goals down at half-time. Ultimately both teams had chances to win in an entertaining end to the match.
Yet, despite Maresca showing his commitment, it remains an open question whether this ongoing power struggle could affect Chelsea’s players going forward.