“He must never play Chelsea ever again, you owe it to the club. After such a performance, he should not be playing football at all. The team doesn’t need such a flop player” – This is according to Frank Lampard as he advises Enzo Maresca on Chelsea’s disastrous 2/10 performer with he said that he should never feature for the team again after the Ipswich match.

Chelsea’s festive season has been far from joyous, with their struggles continuing on Boxing Day when Enzo Maresca’s side suffered a late defeat to Fulham after a stoppage-time winner from Harry Wilson.

Fast forward to Monday evening, and Chelsea found themselves on the losing end once again, this time falling 2-0 to Ipswich Town. Adding insult to injury, the Tractor Boys’ victory marked their first home win of the season.

Maresca, who had been touted as a title contender earlier this month, now faces his first challenging period at the helm. To make matters worse, one of Ipswich’s standout performers, Omari Hutchinson, was a former Chelsea academy player.

Omari Hutchinson Shines Against Former Club

Last season, Hutchinson played a crucial role in Ipswich’s promotion campaign during his loan spell, contributing 11 goals and six assists across 50 appearances. This season, he returned to Portman Road in a club-record £20m move. While he’s had a tough transition to the Premier League, his performance against Chelsea on Monday was arguably his best yet.

Hutchinson’s impact was undeniable, as he scored Ipswich’s second goal after Liam Delap set him up with a brilliant assist. Despite being surrounded by three Chelsea players, Hutchinson kept his composure and found the bottom corner of the net.

Hutchinson’s Key Stats vs. Chelsea

• Minutes Played: 89
• Touches: 35
• Accurate Passes: 14/18 (78%)
• Key Passes: 2
• Big Chances Created: 1
• Shots: 1

Axel Disasi’s Dismal Performance

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Axel Disasi had a night to forget. The French defender, deployed as a makeshift right-back despite Chelsea having three natural options on the bench, struggled throughout the game. His costly error led directly to Hutchinson’s goal.

Disasi’s misplaced pass on the halfway line allowed Delap to initiate Ipswich’s counterattack, and his failure to close down Hutchinson in the penalty area sealed Chelsea’s fate. His performance earned him a scathing 2/10 rating from The Evening Standard, with criticism of his involvement in both Ipswich goals.

Disasi’s Key Stats vs. Ipswich

• Minutes Played: 77
• Touches: 82
• Accurate Passes: 66/70 (94%)
• Possession Lost: 7
• Duels Won: 3/7
• Tackles: 2

Questions Over Maresca’s Decisions

Fans were left questioning Maresca’s decision to start Disasi at right-back, especially with Reece James, Malo Gusto, and Josh Acheampong available. While James is returning from injury, Gusto and Acheampong could have been viable options. This tactical choice, combined with Chelsea’s poor form, has amplified calls for changes within the squad.

What’s Next for Chelsea?

After three consecutive winless games, Chelsea finds themselves slipping in the table and under increasing pressure. Their next opportunity to turn things around comes against Crystal Palace on Saturday, followed by an FA Cup clash with Morecambe.

However, if performances like Disasi’s continue, Chelsea’s aspirations for the season may quickly evaporate. Fans and analysts alike are now calling for significant changes, both on the pitch and in Maresca’s approach.