Earlier this year, Chelsea sacked Enzo Maresca, who’s allegedly set to take over at Manchester City next season.
Is there any frustration over the way he departed and potentially knowing what was coming next?
Not really. He never really connected with the fans who didn’t like his personality or his football.
The frustration is more with the structure at the club that made him want to jump ship at the first possibility than with Maresca himself.
The man to replace Maresca was ex-Hull boss Liam Rosenior,
who interviewed for the Sunderland job before Régis Le Bris.
This didn’t go to plan and never seemed like it would. What were the key factors behind his sacking?
It was a dreadful idea to appoint a manager with so little experience.
The dressing room were never having him, and the moment results went badly he didn’t have the authority to turn things round.
To make the same mistake that was made with Graham Potter just a couple of years ago is totally unforgivable. Everyone could see it coming.
Ahead of next season, Xabi Alonso has been announced as manager.
How did this go down with the fanbase — and what do you think he can bring to the table?
It’s gone down phenomenally well. He was the man everyone wanted, but nobody believed we could get him.
Not only does he look like the best young coach on the market, it also seems that the only way he would take the job is if the club agreed to change their model, so it’s a double win.
As things stand, both teams may need to win to qualify for Europe next season.
For Chelsea, do you think the fans would prefer to be in the Europa League or to solely be able to focus on the league next season?
Fans are probably a little split. It would be great to have free mid-weeks but equally, we like seeing the youngsters and academy players when we play in Europe.
The Conference League is something we could do without, though. It’s no fun steamrolling teams with smaller budgets; there’s no glory to be had in that.
Cole Palmer was one of the shock exclusions from Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad.
What are the key reasons behind his dip in form this season?
He’s actually been poor for about eighteen months now, with a few special moments disguising a gradual slowdown.
His chronic injury has just taken 5% of his explosiveness away, which stops him getting the yard of space to take shots or beat players.
That in turn has shattered his confidence, but hopefully a free summer can see him get right physically and mentally.
After being recalled from Sunderland, Marc Guiu has played just eighteen minutes of league football in 2026.
Has he fallen down the pecking order of late?
He’s never really had a chance — he doesn’t look like he’s at the level required to play in the Premier League, let alone for Chelsea.
He never should have been recalled, really, although we doubt he would’ve played much more for Sunderland.
Now that the season is coming to a close, who would you say have been Chelsea’s best players this season?
Enzo Fernández has had lots of important moments. Moisés Caicedo started really well, and João Pedro finished strongly.
An honourable mention to Trevoh Chalobah, who’s always solid even when the team around him crumbles.
How do you think interim coach Calum McFarlane will set up tactically at the Stadium of Light?
He’s liked using a back five recently, but we suspect it’ll be a back four again.
Romeo Lavia probably lines up with Caicedo in midfield, with Fernández ahead of them between Pedro Neto and Palmer. João Pedro should be ready to play again up top.
Are any players missing, and who do you think will start?
All of the big guns (Reece James, Levi Colwill, João Pedro) look like they’ll be back in the team after missing Tuesday’s game. Nobody is missing apart from the long-term absentees Estêvão and Jamie Gittens.
(4-2-3-1)
Sanchez (GK), James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella, Lavia, Caicedo, Palmer, Fernẽndez, Neto, Pedro.
Sunderland won 2-1 in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Whatat’s your score prediction this time around?
Given it’s the final day, we’re hoping for a bit of fun — maybe a 2-2 draw.
