Former Chelsea player Andy Townsend has insisted now isn’t the time to panic following a difficult start to pre-season under Enzo Maresca.
The Blues are currently in America on their pre-season tour and after a 2-2 draw with Wrexham in their opening game, they got thrashed 4-1 by Celtic on Saturday.
It’s clear the Blues are still getting to grips with what’s being asked of them from the Italian, with a number of players being asked to play in a different way than they are used to.
Townsend urges fans not to panic
There were always going to be some teething issues, and the players were never going to adapt to Maresca’s style within two games, but it was worrying how easily Celtic were able to carve through Chelsea’s backline and get through on goal.
However, ex-Blue Townsend has insisted now isn’t the time to panic and that not much attention should be given to results in pre-season.
“We shouldn’t pay too much attention to that, this is no time to start looking for the panic button just yet,” he told talkSPORT.
“Pre-season, I’ve had so many where everything is going swimmingly, everyone is playing well and getting on, new signings have come through the door and it’s all lovely.
“Then the season starts and you lose three or four out of your first five, that is time to panic.
“Nobody panics in pre-season, it is time to panic when the team has got off to a poor start and they are looking devoid of any ideas.”
It’s worth pointing out that the Blues impressed in pre-season under Mauricio Pochettino and then went on to win just three of their first ten Premier League games.
Maresca still has a number of key players to come back to the squad with the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer, Marc Cucurella and Conor Gallagher not on the tour, whilst Moises Caicedo, Nicolas Jackson and new signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall haven’t played a part in the first two games.
