Maresca pleads for Chelsea ‘patience’ as fans demand new striker

Cameron Smith

4 Feb 2025 16:30 GMT
3 min read

Enzo Maresca has urged Chelsea fans to be “more patient” following his side’s 2-1 win over West Ham United on Monday evening.

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The Blues mustered just three shots on target against Graham Potter’s side and they required a second-half strike from Pedro Neto and an Aaron Wan-Bissaka own goal to claim all three points after Jarrod Bowen’s opener in the 42nd minute.

Chelsea boasted an incredible 68% possession at Stamford Bridge, but they were largely frustrated by West Ham’s resilient low block, with Gary Neville branding the Blues’ style of play as “pathetic football.”

However, Maresca has insisted that his side deserved just their second Premier League win in eight matches and has pleaded for Chelsea’s supporters to retain faith in his methods.

After the match, the Italian told Chelsea’s official club website: “We love our fans in the way they were tonight, we just ask a little bit more patient to them when we keep the ball and there are teams that sit back and we struggle to find space. They have to trust us.”

Despite this, several Chelsea fans are desperate for the west London giants to sign a new centre-forward this summer in order to boost their chances of securing a first piece of silverware since the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup.

Do Chelsea fans want another striker—and who would they take? ⚽ pic.twitter.com/rp6qffpqRm
— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 23, 2025

Chelsea fans want a new striker

Nicolas Jackson is without a goal in his last eight appearances and he was substituted in the 52nd minute versus West Ham, with former Barcelona youngster Marc Guiu selected as his replacement.

Chelsea were heavily linked with a move for Nigeria international Victor Osimhen last summer, while they are also monitoring the likes of Liam Delap and Benjamin Sesko ahead of a possible pursuit later this year.

In addition, Viktor Gyokeres, Alexander Isak and Dusan Vlahovic have previously been touted as potential transfer targets for the Blues.