Two days on from saying he had endured his “worst 48 hours” since becoming Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca repeatedly refused to clarify his comments.
Maresca made the claim after the 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday, saying that the preceding 48 hours had been the worst since he joined Chelsea in June 2024 “because many people didn’t support us”. He refused to explain to whom he was referring, inviting suspicion that he had fallen out with the Chelsea hierarchy.
On Monday, in a tense press conference before Chelsea’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Cardiff City on Tuesday, Maresca did nothing to quash the theories. In 20 minutes he fielded 20 questions relating to his declaration on Saturday, and responded to them with less than 400 words in total.
Gusto scored in Chelsea’s win against Everton but the result did not appear to do much to improve Maresca’s mood
SEBASTIAN FREJ/MB MEDIA/GETTY IMAGES
On his relationship with Chelsea’s owners, Maresca said: “It’s OK. It’s good.” When asked whether it was as good as it’s always been, he answered: “I think so, yes.”
Other answers were equally brief. When asked whether he regretted what he said, or to confirm that he would not retract his statement, Maresca said he had “nothing to add”.
Questions on precisely what he meant on Saturday, his motives for not talking about the incident on Monday, whether he had explained what he meant to figures within the club and why he chose Saturday to speak out all received similar responses.
When asked if Chelsea supporters deserved an explanation, the 45-year-old said: “I said after the game that I love the Chelsea support. They deserve the best.” He then insisted he was happy and 100 per cent committed to the club.
Chelsea’s excellent performances against top teams have been followed by mediocre displays against lesser opposition
ALAMY
In his longest answer on the matter he emphasised that it was “done”.
“I can speak Italian, my language, Spanish very well, French very well and English more or less,” he said. “I think when I want to say something, I’m quite clear.
“I already spoke after the game. I don’t need to add more. If you want, I can try in Italian, Spanish, French, so you’re all aware. It’s done, it’s finished. It was after the game. I said what I said. Now it’s focus on Cardiff.”
However, Maresca’s refusal to discuss the matter did not help to dismiss suggestions that his relationship with his superiors at Chelsea is strained. When given the opportunity to address or play down the fallout, the Italian declined.
Maresca faced criticism in the build-up to the Everton game, which followed three underwhelming results. Chelsea were defeated away to Atalanta in the Champions League after taking the lead, played out a goalless draw away to Bournemouth and lost away to Leeds United. During the poor run, Maresca rotated his young squad considerably.
Gianluca Scamacca scored as Atalanta recovered from going 1-0 down to defeat Chelsea 2-1 in the Champions League
MICHELE MARAVIGLIA/EPA
These results eradicated talk of a league title push and the optimism at the start of December, when Chelsea were fresh off beating Barcelona and earning a creditable draw against Arsenal despite playing with ten men.
That Maresca’s “worst 48 hours” comment came after a morale-boosting victory, and in response to a question about Malo Gusto’s strong performance, suggests that it was a calculated expression of frustration.
Maresca also reiterated that Chelsea will reach their third semi-final in the 18 months since he took charge should they win at Cardiff. Chelsea won the Conference League and Club World Cup under him this year.
Cole Palmer, who returned to action against Leeds after three months out with groin and toe injuries, will not feature. Maresca said the England international is not yet ready to play two games only three days apart, and added that Chelsea will “make some changes” to their XI as the busy festive period begins.
Maresca confirmed that Palmer, who scored on Saturday, will not be involved against Cardiff
PETER CZIBORRA/REUTERS
Moisés Caicedo is available again after serving a three-match suspension for his red card against Arsenal. Liam Delap (shoulder), Roméo Lavia (thigh) and Levi Colwill (knee) are among those injured.
Maresca is aware of the threat posed by Cardiff, who are top of League One and have little to lose against the team sitting fourth in the top flight.
“These are the worst games for this reason,” Maresca said. “Football is full of these kinds of games where the favourite can lose. That’s why we need to pay attention and the focus put on Cardiff.
“And again, it can be the third semi-final in 18 months. That is something important.”
If Chelsea lose and fail to reach the last four, though, then scrutiny over Maresca’s position will increase again.
Cardiff City v Chelsea
Carabao Cup quarter-final, Cardiff City Stadium
Tuesday, kick-off 8pm
TV Sky Sports Main Event