Jens Lehmann has hit out at Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca over his strict tactical approach with goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, predicting the Italian will regret his stance.
Since replacing Robert Sanchez as Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper, Jorgensen has endured a shaky start. However, Maresca remains committed to the 22-year-old, who secured a clean sheet in Chelsea’s emphatic 4-0 win over Southampton. With Leicester up next, Jorgensen hopes for another solid performance.
Despite Chelsea’s victory, home fans voiced frustration with Jorgensen’s insistence on playing short passes under pressure. Maresca later revealed that this was a direct instruction, stating: “My message to Filip was, ‘If you play long balls, I will change you.’” He emphasized that both Jorgensen and Sanchez were merely executing the tactical plan.
Lehmann, a key figure in Arsenal’s Invincibles squad, was stunned by Maresca’s approach when speaking on talkSPORT. “I was surprised by Chelsea’s coach saying that,” Lehmann said. “He will probably regret it because football isn’t just about style—it’s about winning games.”
While Lehmann acknowledges the benefits of playing out from the back in certain situations, he believes Maresca’s philosophy reveals a lack of understanding of goalkeeping. “If I were his superior, I’d tell him, ‘We’re not here for style; we’re here to win.’ That’s why Chelsea are struggling to challenge for trophies.”
Robert Sanchez, who lost his place as Chelsea’s No. 1 due to costly mistakes, now watches from the sidelines as Maresca continues to back Jorgensen. Meanwhile, Lehmann believes Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot are among the few clubs with managers who truly understand goalkeeping.
He also criticized Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola, despite his reputation as the world’s best coach. “Even at Real Madrid vs. Man City last week, I felt Guardiola doesn’t fully grasp what his goalkeeper should and shouldn’t do, particularly in coordination with his defense.”
Lehmann’s comments add to growing concerns about Maresca’s rigid approach. Whether the Chelsea boss will adjust remains to be seen, but his firm stance on Jorgensen suggests he’s sticking to his plan for now.