“JUST ANOTHER IDIOTIC SIGNING?!” – Marco van Basten DESTROYS Chelsea’s Transfer Choice Following the Benfica Clash, Calls Out Enzo Maresca’s Decision-Making
The storm clouds are gathering over Stamford Bridge once more. Following Chelsea’s close 1-0 Champions League victory over Benfica, Dutch football veteran Marco van Basten delivered a harsh verdict that has split the Blues faithful. Despite the three points, van Basten slammed into one of Enzo Maresca’s recent starters, calling him “just another idiotic signing like Sancho” and warning that Chelsea might slide into a full-fledged calamity if adjustments aren’t made right away.
The critique was as harsh as it was forthright.
> “He was completely clueless against Benfica.” Overall, the club is more likely to be relegated if nothing is done to address the current situation,”* van Basten said.
The Benfica Reality Check
Chelsea may have won owing to a Richard Rios own goal, but their performance did not inspire confidence. Benfica, led by the fiery return of José Mourinho, pressed hard and came close to stealing a late point. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s much-discussed signing—thrust into the starting lineup by Maresca—struggled miserably. Poor placement, wayward passes, and jittery touches made him appear disoriented in the heat of a Champions League match.
Fans who saw the match couldn’t ignore the shortcomings, and van Basten’s statements were like salt in an open wound.
Van Basten’s Warning.
The great Dutchman didn’t mince words. To him, Chelsea’s problem is more than simply one player; it’s a culture of rash purchases and a lack of vision.
> “Chelsea keep wasting money, but they don’t seem to learn. Where’s the football intelligence? This player lacked the necessary skill level. If this is the standard, Maresca will have no choice but to drag this team into a relegation battle rather than aiming for Europe.”
The parallel to Jadon Sancho, whose transfer odyssey at Manchester United ended in disappointment, is especially scathing. Van Basten’s meaning is clear: Chelsea has fallen into the same trap of paying exorbitant fees for players who cannot perform.
Maresca Under Fire
Enzo Maresca is just a few months into his Chelsea rule, but the pressure is rising. He was hired to instill structure, discipline, and identity in a team that had been bloated and unreliable for years. However, his decision to start a struggling new signing against Benfica has fuelled criticism that he is repeating his predecessors’ mistakes by prioritising names over form.
The background adds to the sting of Van Basten’s statements. Chelsea dominated possession but lacked creativity and cutting edge, with a star-studded lineup creating few clear opportunities. Without the own goal, it may have been just another miserable European night.
Fans React: Harsh, but true?
Following van Basten’s statements, social media exploded. Many Chelsea fans agreed that the icon “said what we’re all thinking,” while others deemed his statements a “overreaction” given the victory. However, the underlying discontent is evident. Chelsea has spent more than £1 billion in recent transfer windows, but stability and consistency are still elusive.
One fan summarised it:
“We won, but performances like this show why no one believes the project. If this is Maresca’s idea of progress, then Van Basten may be correct.”
What’s Next for Chelsea?
The Blues can’t afford to ignore the clamour. With additional Champions League games approaching and Premier League matches stacking up, Maresca must decide whether to stick with his failing signing or sideline him to avoid further criticism.
Van Basten’s admonition serves as a sharp reminder: while results can momentarily mask weaknesses in football, poor decisions will eventually bite. Chelsea may have squeaked past Benfica, but until Maresca mends the rifts, the Dutch legend’s relegation warning could become a cruel reality.
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