“JUST ANOTHER FOOLISH SIGNING?!” – Marco van Basten SLAMS Chelsea’s Transfer Gamble After Benfica Win, Questions Maresca’s Judgment
Storm clouds are gathering again over Stamford Bridge. Despite Chelsea’s narrow 1-0 Champions League win against Benfica, Dutch legend Marco van Basten unleashed a blistering attack on one of Enzo Maresca’s recent starters, branding the player “just another idiotic signing like Sancho.” His words have split opinion among Blues supporters and raised fresh doubts over Maresca’s decision-making.
The verdict was brutally clear:
“He was completely lost against Benfica. If Chelsea don’t fix this mess quickly, they’ll be fighting relegation instead of Europe,” Van Basten warned.
Benfica Scare
Chelsea may have walked away with three points thanks to a Richard Rios own goal, but the performance was anything but convincing. Mourinho’s Benfica pressed relentlessly and nearly forced an equaliser late on. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s much-hyped recruit—given a surprise start—looked overwhelmed. Wayward passing, poor positioning, and jittery touches left him badly exposed under the Champions League spotlight.
Fans noticed—and Van Basten’s words poured gasoline on the fire.
Van Basten’s Stark Warning
The Dutch great didn’t hold back on Chelsea’s wider transfer strategy either:
“Chelsea keep spending fortunes, but where is the intelligence? This player isn’t even close to the standard required. If this is what they’re relying on, Maresca will drag them into a relegation scrap, not European football.”
The comparison to Jadon Sancho—a marquee signing that fizzled out at Manchester United—was especially damning, suggesting Chelsea may have repeated the same costly mistake.
Maresca Under Pressure
Hired to restore order and identity to a chaotic squad, Enzo Maresca is already feeling the heat. His decision to start the struggling newcomer in such a high-stakes match has sparked accusations that he’s repeating the sins of past Chelsea managers—prioritising big-money names over in-form players.
Even in victory, Chelsea’s display raised alarm bells. They dominated possession but lacked creativity, producing few real chances aside from the Benfica own goal. Without that slice of luck, the night could have ended in frustration.
Fans React
Social media erupted after Van Basten’s tirade. Some Chelsea fans admitted he was “only saying what we’re all thinking,” while others dismissed it as harsh overreaction after a win. Still, the sentiment is telling: supporters are weary of constant spending with little sign of stability.
As one fan put it:
“We won, but nothing feels different. If this is Maresca’s plan, Van Basten might have a point.”
What’s Next for Chelsea?
The pressure on Maresca is intensifying. He must decide whether to persist with his struggling signing or cut losses and bench him before the backlash deepens.
Van Basten’s stinging assessment serves as a warning: results can paper over cracks for now, but reckless decisions eventually come back to haunt. Chelsea escaped with three points in Lisbon, but unless changes come quickly, the Dutch legend’s prediction of a looming crisis may prove all too real
