Chelsea legend John Terry has expressed his insights on why the club has experienced a noticeable “drop-off” under manager Enzo Maresca in the latter part of the ongoing 2024-25 season.

John Terry explains why Chelsea performances dipping after promising start to season

The Blues made a remarkable start to the season, demonstrating championship-winning potential and even drawing comparisons to Premier League title challengers. However, recent performances have seen Chelsea slip down the standings, now locked in a fierce contest to secure a top-four finish.

Terry pinpointed the youthful nature of the squad as a significant factor in the team’s downturn. With the average age of their starting XI sitting at just 23.5, Chelsea boasts the youngest lineup in the top flight—a statistic that, while promising, also highlights the inexperience that may be holding them back.

‘A really young squad’ 

In an interview with DR Sports, Terry remarked, “We’ve showed signs this year of being a really young squad. And I say that in terms of performances where you see a really good spell, then we’ve come off of it lately.” He pointed out that the team’s inconsistency was anticipatable, stating, “I thought we’d have a little bit of a drop-off, and we have done that.”

For Terry, the minimum expectation at a club of Chelsea’s stature is Champions League qualification. He articulated the necessity of maintaining a Champions League mentality: “When you’re playing at a top club like Chelsea, the mentality has to be Champions League football year after year.”

Chelsea’s ‘worst performance’ 

Following a disappointing 3-0 defeat to Brighton, which Terry labelled as Chelsea’s “worst performance” of the season, the team held a crucial behind-the-scenes meeting. Senior players gathered at the Cobham Training Centre two days post-defeat to address concerns and strengthen team cohesion.

The defeat marked Chelsea’s fourth loss in nine matches, sparking anxiety among players regarding their Champions League aspirations. Chelsea managed to bounce back from this setback with a 4-0 triumph over Southampton, but the road ahead remains fraught with challenges.

Champions League ‘focus’

Currently positioned fifth in the Premier League standings, Chelsea faces an uphill battle with just 11 fixtures left to play. Head coach Maresca remains focused on securing Champions League qualification, a goal that now carries even more significance following recent performances.

Reflecting on the grim defeat at Brighton, Maresca stated, “The performance is not one you want to offer, so we are very upset and sorry for the fans that were here.” As the season progresses, the challenge for Chelsea will be to harness their youth’s potential while addressing the growing pains that come with such an inexperienced squad.