Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has voiced his displeasure with his team’s mentality during their 2-2 draw against Bournemouth in a Premier League clash on Tuesday night. Despite taking an early lead, the Blues were forced to share the spoils in what proved to be a rollercoaster match.

Chelsea started brightly, with Cole Palmer’s early strike giving them a deserved lead. However, Bournemouth quickly responded, turning the game on its head with goals from Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo.

As the clock ticked toward full-time, it was Reece James who came to Chelsea’s rescue, curling home a free-kick to secure a vital point for Maresca’s side.

Maresca’s Concerns

Speaking after the game to TNT Sports, Maresca did not hold back in his assessment of his team’s performance:

“I don’t think so, I think we deserved much more, especially in the first half. That’s football," he said, referencing the game’s outcome.

“The negative thing is that we changed how we played after conceding. We dropped back. For sure, the most important thing is to create chances. It happened many times in the last four or five games. We don’t score and then we concede. Tonight after we concede the penalty, we drop a bit and we need to improve on that.”

Maresca’s comments reflect a growing concern over Chelsea’s inability to maintain their attacking intensity when under pressure, a recurring issue this season.

Opinion: Chelsea’s Inconsistency a Cause for Concern

Chelsea’s performance against Bournemouth once again highlighted their inconsistency in maintaining a strong mentality throughout the game. The Blues have often looked promising in patches, creating chances but failing to capitalize on them, leaving themselves vulnerable to counterattacks.

Maresca’s critique of the team’s tendency to retreat after conceding is spot on. Dropping back invites pressure and often leads to costly mistakes, as evidenced by Bournemouth’s quick turnaround. For a club of Chelsea’s stature, this is an issue that needs urgent resolution.

A Look Ahead

While James’ late equalizer provided a silver lining, Chelsea cannot afford to rely on last-minute heroics. With the January transfer window approaching, Maresca might look to bolster the squad, particularly in areas where the team struggles to maintain its shape and composure under pressure.

If Chelsea can learn to sustain their intensity and play with conviction for the full 90 minutes, they could turn their mixed fortunes around. However, for now, their fans are left hoping for greater stability and a stronger mental edge.