We can’t sack him - Chelsea confirm Enzo Maresca will stay

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been given a vote of confidence by club director Jonathan Goldstein, who has stated that Maresca is "100%" safe from the sack this season.

Despite a recent drop in form, which has seen Chelsea win just two of their last nine league games.

Goldstein has publicly backed Maresca, citing his excellent work in bringing the team together and developing young talent.

"He's doing a great job," Goldstein said on Bloomberg TV.

"Chelsea started the season very well. The past six weeks have been, you know, finding their feet a little bit more. But Enzo has clearly done a great job in bringing the team together, bringing the talent through."

When asked if Maresca would remain in charge for the rest of the season, Goldstein replied emphatically, "100%."

Maresca's Chelsea side has struggled to maintain their early-season form, which had seen them challenging for the Premier League title.

However, a recent slump has dropped them to sixth in the table, outside of the Champions League places.

The club's next match against Aston Villa on Saturday takes on added advantage with Chelsea's European football hopes for next season hanging in the balance.

During Chelsea's strong start to the season, Maresca had played down expectations, stating that the team was focused on a top-four finish rather than a title challenge.