(DDM) – Former Manchester City defender Micah Richards has voiced strong criticism of Chelsea’s defensive performance, despite their 3–0 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the win marked Chelsea’s second consecutive league triumph, following their recent victory over Liverpool, signaling a potential turnaround under manager Enzo Maresca.
The Blues cruised to victory through goals from Josh Acheampong, Pedro Neto, and Reece James, with the teenage Acheampong netting his first-ever senior goal, a proud moment for the 18-year-old academy product.
But while the scoreline suggested dominance, Micah Richards, speaking as a pundit on BBC Sport, said Chelsea’s defensive issues remain deeply worrying.
“Chelsea have been terrible at the back,” Richards declared. “They haven’t had a clean sheet in the Premier League since August. You can tell something isn’t right there, too many mistakes, poor concentration, and lapses in positioning.”
He added that Nottingham Forest actually looked sharper in moments, creating clear-cut chances but lacking the finishing edge to capitalize.
“Forest looked better than they have been,” Richards continued, “but missing those chances cost them. Chelsea took the lead and punished every mistake.”
Ironically, Saturday’s victory also gave Maresca’s men their first clean sheet in over a month, something the Italian manager highlighted post-match as a positive sign of progress.
DDM gathered that Maresca praised his squad for maintaining composure late in the game, saying, “We fought hard to protect the clean sheet. That discipline and unity are what we’ve been missing.”
However, Richards’ critique serves as a reminder that Chelsea’s resurgence remains fragile, particularly ahead of upcoming clashes with Arsenal and Manchester City, two of the league’s most dangerous attacking sides.
This is not the first time Richards has publicly challenged Chelsea’s form. Last week, he argued that club legend Frank Lampard would be “valued so much higher if he played today,” citing changes in midfield roles and tactical evolution in modern football.
Under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea appear to be rediscovering their attacking rhythm, but their defensive inconsistencies, from miscommunication between defenders to unforced errors under pressure, continue to concern fans and pundits alike.
DDM notes that with injuries mounting and rotation frequent, the Blues’ backline has struggled for stability. Critics believe the club’s young defenders need greater leadership and organization if Chelsea are to compete seriously for European qualification.
As Chelsea prepare to face Arsenal next week, all eyes will be on whether Maresca’s men can finally blend their attacking flair with defensive reliability, or if Micah Richards’ warnings will again prove prophetic.
For now, the message from pundits and supporters remains clear: winning alone won’t be enough, Chelsea must defend like champions if they hope to rise again.