Enzo Maresca is facing an end-of-season review into his future as Chelsea head coach - having been told at his appointment that he would be given at least two years before an examination of his performance.
Whereas the Italian's predecessor Mauricio Pochettino was reviewed after a single season – and he left by mutual decision following that internal assessment – Blues bosses felt their participation in the summer’s Club World Cup meant they practically faced two seasons in one.
Craving stability, they handed Maresca a five-year contract in 2024 with the option of a sixth, and earmarked summer 2026 as a potentially appropriate time to assess progress.