Chelsea against Everton: Maresca must break the jinx against Charity FC.
Chelsea welcome Everton amidst a recurring December curse: only 57 points out of 108 in the last 7 seasons, and only two consecutive December wins in 20 years. Cole Palmer returns to the number 10 shirt.
This Saturday, when Everton visit Stamford Bridge, Chelsea need to leave their generosity outside the stands – where the holiday donation boxes are filling up – to put an end to the "Charity FC" moniker on the pitch. December history is often against the Blues, and Enzo Maresca enters the match forced to reverse that momentum.
The December Curse and the Name Charity FC
In the last 20 years, Chelsea have only won all their December matches twice (in the 2005-06 season under Jose Mourinho and the 2016-17 season under Antonio Conte). The common thread: they both went on to win the league title. In contrast, in the last seven seasons, Chelsea have only collected 57 out of a possible 108 points in December (52.8%), a modest figure compared to Manchester City's 73 points during the same period.
Those statistics explain why the nickname "Charity FC" from the online community has become a nightmare: December often sees The Blues "giving away" points to opponents desperate for them.
From a period of exhilaration to a downturn in early December.
In the 2025-2026 season, Chelsea ended November with a 3-0 victory over Barcelona and a draw against Arsenal while playing with ten men. But in December, the positive momentum broke: a 1-3 defeat to Leeds, a 0-0 draw with Bournemouth, and a 1-2 loss to Atalanta.
With Nicolas Jackson currently on loan at Bayern Munich and unwilling to return, the burden of scoring goals and creating chances becomes more precarious when rotating the squad.
Maresca's rotation and tactical questions
Enzo Maresca called the team's goal during this busy fixture period "survival," as the European Cup has forced a cycle of one match every three days. Against Atalanta, the Italian strategist fielded an unusual lineup: right-backs Reece James and Malo Gusto were pushed into the center of the pitch, while Jamie Gittens played on the opposite wing. This arrangement raises questions about structural stability and pressing rhythm, especially when Chelsea need to control risk to avoid losing control of the game during this crucial period of the month.
Cole Palmer leverage and Caicedo gap
Positive news: Cole Palmer returns after missing Italy to focus on fitness recovery and is expected to start in the number 10 role against Everton. This is a crucial addition as Moises Caicedo is still serving his final game suspension.
Maresca provided an update on his player's condition: "Cole is better and is now available to play. However, he finished yesterday's training session feeling somewhat uncomfortable, but overall he's fine." With the attacking tempo slowing down, a fit Palmer is key to restoring continuity between the lines and improving quality in the final third.
David Moyes' Everton: a test of physical fitness and tackling style.
David Moyes' Everton boasted the highest win rate in duels – a sign that they were willing to turn the game into a physical battle. For Chelsea, that meant: increased intensity, decisiveness in the first three touches, and avoiding turnovers in their own half that could trigger counter-attacks from the opposition.
Trong một tháng 12 đầy trắc trở, tính “tàn nhẫn” – thứ từng giúp Chelsea vô địch ở hai mùa toàn thắng tháng 12 – cần được khôi phục. The Blues đã quá hào phóng trong tháng này; nếu không muốn giấc mơ top 4 xa dần, 90 phút trước The Toffees phải là ngoại lệ.
Góc Stamford Bridge: lòng tốt đúng chỗ
Truyền thống nhân văn của Chelsea vẫn bền bỉ: từ chăn ấm, tất dày đến áo khoác mùa đông, người hâm mộ quyên góp trước Giáng sinh. Năm ngoái, hơn 3.600 vật phẩm đã được gửi đến điểm tập kết bên ngoài Stamford Bridge – trong đó có cả vài chiếc áo khoác cũ của Gary Cahill. Thứ Bảy này là dịp cuối của đợt quyên góp năm nay. CĐV The Blues chỉ mong sự hào phóng ấy dừng lại ở những thùng quyên góp, thay vì đi theo đội bóng qua cửa soát vé vào trong sân.
Những con số nổi bật
- Chỉ 2 tháng 12 toàn thắng trong 20 năm (2005-06, 2016-17) – cả hai mùa đều vô địch.
- 57/108 điểm tháng 12 ở 7 mùa gần nhất (52,8%).
- Man City thu về 73 điểm trong cùng giai đoạn.
- Chuỗi đầu tháng 12 mùa này: thua Leeds 1-3, hòa Bournemouth 0-0, thua Atalanta 1-2.
- Cole Palmer trở lại, Moises Caicedo hoàn tất án treo giò ở trận này.
Đã đến lúc Chelsea khép lại “cửa từ thiện” – ít nhất trong 90 phút – để viết lại câu chuyện tháng 12 của chính mình.
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