Frank Leboeuf has issued a stark warning to Chelsea supporters after their 3-1 loss to Flamengo, branding any high expectations as “foolish.” The Blues were brought back down to earth following their opening Club World Cup win, as a resilient Flamengo side overturned Pedro Neto’s early goal.
Chelsea’s second-half collapse left Enzo Maresca’s side exposed, as they conceded three times in a disjointed showing that highlighted recurring concerns. Leboeuf believes the club’s focus on signing young players—like recent £30m arrival Liam Delap—will continue to hinder their Premier League title chances.
He insisted Chelsea’s inconsistency is the result of a fragile setup, warning that unless experience is added, the team will struggle to reach top levels again. “This is what happens,” he said. “You bet on youth and hope for greatness, but sometimes it just falls apart without veteran leadership.”
The Frenchman suggested last season’s fourth-place finish owed more to the league’s poor quality than Chelsea’s strength, citing erratic performances. Maresca has faced criticism despite guiding Chelsea to a European spot and winning the Conference League, but he continues to trust his developmental approach.
Things went from bad to worse against Flamengo when Nicolas Jackson received a straight red card just minutes after being substituted in. The striker’s challenge on Ayrton Lucas was reckless, adding to Chelsea’s woes and reflecting a pattern of hot-headed mistakes in crucial games.
Jackson, who was also sent off against Newcastle last month, later apologised on Instagram on his 24th birthday, calling the moment unintentional. “I’m so angry at myself,” he wrote. “I let the club, my teammates, and the fans down. I’ll reflect and come back stronger.”
Leboeuf’s assessment echoed John Obi Mikel’s recent criticism of Jackson, who also questioned the striker’s mental readiness for top-level competition. With Chelsea still adjusting under Maresca, both pundits urged the club to rethink its strategy if they genuinely want to compete with City and Liverpool.