Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca will feel some relief after seeing the outcome of last night’s League Cup draw, which handed his side a trip to struggling Wolves in the fourth round.
Chelsea’s Close Call Against Lincoln
Maresca’s men only just scraped through their third-round tie against League One side Lincoln City. The Blues went into half-time trailing 1-0, and although they turned things around after the break, the performance was far from convincing. Chelsea were fortunate to progress, and even Maresca admitted afterwards on Instagram that significant improvement is needed before this weekend’s Premier League clash with Brighton.
The Chelsea boss even remarked that he would rather face a Premier League side than a League One team, underlining his frustration with how his players handled lower-league opposition. While his point is understandable, the expectation remains clear: Chelsea should not be struggling to overcome League One opposition.
Why Wolves Suit Chelsea Right Now
With that in mind, the draw could not have been kinder. Chelsea avoided both top Premier League contenders and another potential banana skin against lower-league opposition. Instead, they will face Wolves, who sit bottom of the Premier League after five consecutive defeats to open the 2025/26 season.
For Maresca, this presents an opportunity. Wolves’ poor form means Chelsea will be favourites, while the Premier League status of their opponents ensures his players remain focused and motivated in a way they perhaps were not against Lincoln.
The tie offers the perfect balance: challenging enough to demand a strong performance, yet favourable enough to give Chelsea confidence of progressing deeper into the competition.
