Maresca faces a major challenge as Chelsea has to play 9 matches in January; falling behind in the Premier League could worsen conflicts.

Recently, Maresca has expressed complaints about Chelsea Football Club, causing some friction between them. However, football is a competitive sport where results speak for themselves. Although many fans and media criticize Maresca’s in-game management as poor, Chelsea’s double triumph in the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup last season proves his success. If Maresca ends this season empty-handed, his position as coach will become precarious, and tensions will escalate.

January 2026, following the Christmas period, will be a crucial test for Maresca, as Chelsea is scheduled to play as many as 9 matches that month, which is vital for staying in the Premier League title race and progressing in the Champions League knockout stage.

Chelsea’s match schedule for January is as follows:

1. Premier League away game against Manchester City
2. Premier League away game against Fulham
3. FA Cup away match versus Charlton
4. League Cup semi-final first leg (expected mid-January)
5. Premier League home match against Brentford
6. European competition home match against Pafos
7. Premier League away game against Crystal Palace
8. Champions League away match against Napoli
9. Premier League home game against West Ham United

After 16 rounds in the Premier League, Chelsea has 8 wins, 4 draws, and 4 losses, totaling 28 points and sitting fourth, 8 points behind the top spot, making the title race difficult. Although they are in the Champions League qualification zone, they lead only by 2 points over eighth-placed Sunderland, signaling fierce competition for European spots this season. If Maresca fails to navigate the intense January schedule well, Chelsea will fall behind in the Premier League, intensifying conflicts between him and the club, and possibly risking his job.