Didier Drogba Blames Enzo Maresca for Chelsea’s Defensive Collapse, Highlighting Two Key Tactical Mistakes That Led to First-Half Goals

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**Sports**

Didier Drogba *Blames Enzo Maresca* for Chelsea’s Defensive Collapse, Highlighting Two Key Tactical Mistakes That Led to First-Half Goals

This campaign has brought some unforgettable moments, but it’s also been filled with letdowns and persistent issues that still trouble Chelsea. Their latest fixture was another clear example of the side’s problematic inconsistency — particularly at the back.

Chelsea kicked off the game with strength, controlling the first 20 minutes with poise and dominance. They looked set for a smooth outing, as their early possession and attacking intent hinted at an opening goal. Yet, in what has become an all-too-familiar pattern, a brief slip in concentration and defensive structure led to a costly concession. Rather than making the most of their early dominance, Chelsea handed their rivals a goal, shifting what should have been a comfortable contest into a tense and potentially damaging one.

The turning point involved Marc Cucurella, who was assigned a hybrid midfield role that has been increasingly favored in *Enzo Maresca’s* system. During an offensive phase, Cucurella gave the ball away in a vulnerable position, leaving Chelsea’s left flank exposed. As he rushed back to stop the cross, Ipswich had already moved into a threatening area. Though he managed to recover slightly and apply pressure, the ball was still delivered into the danger zone.

At that moment, Chelsea’s defenders had a chance to clear the danger, but poor communication and awareness led to disaster. Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez remained rooted to his spot, not reacting to the unfolding threat. Simultaneously, Julio Enciso slipped between Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo unnoticed, finishing the move with an easy tap-in that could have been avoided.

This situation served as a stark example of Chelsea’s persistent issues at the back. While Cucurella’s inverted position adds strategic variety, it also brings high risks, especially when the team lacks defensive shape after losing the ball. Even teams like Ipswich, without world-class attacking power, can take advantage of such tactical gaps.

In addition, the ongoing shuffle of Chelsea’s center-backs continues to hinder the formation of a stable and unified defense. The absence of a settled pairing at the heart of the defense has led to a disjointed and mistake-prone unit, unable to deal with even standard threats. Unless *Maresca* builds a consistent and well-organized backline, Chelsea will likely keep suffering from these critical errors. The urgency for better focus and stronger defensive coordination is higher than ever.

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