Enzo Maresca Faces Sack if Chelsea Fails to Beat Southampton and Leicester

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is facing a tough spell as the Blues' boss, with the team's recent form raising concerns about his future at the club. Former Arsenal playmaker and boyhood Chelsea fan Paul Merson claims that Maresca is facing the sack if the Blues fail to beat Southampton and Leicester City in their next two Premier League outings. Maresca only moved to Stamford Bridge over the summer and made a strong start to life in west London, with the Blues looking like genuine title contenders in mid-December before hitting an alarming run of form.

A run of just two wins in 10 games has changed everything, leaving Chelsea sitting seventh in the table, although they remain only a point behind Manchester City in the battle to finish in the top four. Chelsea have struggled to keep clean sheets and score goals of late, but will surely have a chance to improve both of those factors when they host bottom club Southampton on Tuesday night and second-bottom Leicester next Sunday, either side of a Conference League clash with FC Copenhagen. However, Merson believes that these fixtures could actually pile more pressure on Maresca, sensationally predicting that the Italian head coach will be axed if he does not secure six points.

The pressure is mounting on Maresca, with Chelsea's recent performances raising questions about the team's ability to compete at the top level. The Blues have been linked with several players in the summer transfer window, including Loic Bade and Rafael Leao, as they look to bolster their squad and improve their chances of finishing in the top four. Maresca's tactics have also been called into question, with some critics arguing that he is not getting the best out of his players. Despite this, Maresca remains confident that he can turn things around and lead Chelsea to a successful season, but he knows that he needs to deliver results quickly to save his job.

Chelsea's next two games are crucial, with the Blues facing Southampton and Leicester in matches that they are expected to win. The stake is high, with Maresca's future at the club hanging in the balance. If Chelsea fails to win both games, it could spell the end of Maresca's tenure as manager, with the club's owners likely to consider a change in leadership. Merson's prediction has added to the pressure on Maresca, with the Italian head coach facing a tough task to prove his doubters wrong and lead Chelsea to a successful season.

Here are the match scores for Chelsea's next two games:

• Chelsea vs Southampton: TBD
• Chelsea vs Leicester City: TBD

The Blues will be looking to bounce back from their recent poor form and secure six points from their next two games to ease the pressure on Maresca. With the club's top-four hopes hanging in the balance, Chelsea needs to deliver results quickly to keep their season on track.

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