Chelsea dropped more vital points in their bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
They were held to a 2-2 draw by relegation-threatened Ipswich Town, and for large parts of the match, it looked like they might lose. Enzo Maresca faced heavy criticism from fans at Stamford Bridge, especially as the team’s failure to win pushed them out of the Champions League spots.
Maresca hinted that the subdued atmosphere at the stadium played a role in their sluggish performance—a remark that could risk upsetting supporters further.
Only a few players stood out, though Maresca praised Jadon Sancho, who came off the bench to score the equalizer.
Despite rising frustration from fans—especially considering the team was contending for the title just four months ago—Chelsea’s leadership remains behind Maresca. According to Mail Online, his position is not under immediate threat.
Co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are determined to finish the season without another managerial shake-up, having already gone through Tuchel, Potter, and Pochettino in recent years.
At the start of the season, Maresca’s minimum objective was a top-four finish to secure Champions League football. With UEFA’s updated format, a top-five finish could now be enough.
Winning the Conference League would also be significant, as it would complete Chelsea’s set of European trophies. Still, many fans expected more, given the strength of the squad.
There was optimism that the return of key attacking players would improve form and boost their top-four chances. One of those players, Nicolas Jackson, had been out injured since deadline day in January.
Though his return has brought energy to the frontline, his finishing has been disappointing. Jackson hasn’t scored in 2025 and missed several big chances against Ipswich, including hitting the post early on. He ended the game with five shots, none on target—a Premier League record this season, according to WhoScored.
Chelsea’s attacking struggles are worsened by Cole Palmer’s loss of form—he hasn’t scored in 14 straight games.
The club is reportedly exploring striker options for the summer. While they hoped to get a closer look at Liam Delap recently, an injury limited his involvement.
Still, his brief appearance gave fans some encouragement. Chelsea are said to be tracking several potential forwards, with Victor Osimhen and Benjamin Sesko among the names mentioned.
What’s become clear is that Chelsea lack a reliable goal-scorer—something Jackson has yet to become, especially when it matters most.
