“I was threaten to sub him” – Maresca share what he was told if Chelsea man doesn’t do this on the ball
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!A Tense Atmosphere at Stamford Bridge
Enzo Maresca didn’t hold back in his press conference after Chelsea scraped a 1-0 victory over his former club, Leicester. The Chelsea boss appeared visibly irritated following a game where the Stamford Bridge crowd expressed their frustration over yet another uninspiring first-half performance filled with slow, sideways passing.
His passionate celebrations at the final whistle almost felt like a response to the fans as much as an outpouring of relief after a tense finish.
Fans Frustrated by Lack of Attacking Intent
During the press conference, a journalist pointed out that fans’ dissatisfaction had been sparked by a particular moment when Enzo Fernandez, in a promising attacking position, opted to play a backward pass instead of pushing forward. This moment perfectly captured the supporters’ frustration over Chelsea’s lack of attacking urgency.
When asked if this was a concern, Maresca didn’t hesitate to respond:
“Yeah, but the good thing is that Fernandez knows that if he doesn’t play back, I will change him. If the ‘keeper plays long, I will change him. This is what we have.”
This remark served both as a warning to his players and a message to the fans, making it clear that this style of play isn’t changing anytime soon.
Maresca Stands Firm on Tactical Approach
Maresca’s mention of “changing” players wasn’t new. Just weeks ago, he made a similar statement regarding Robert Sanchez after fans voiced concerns over goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. Supporters had groaned when Jorgensen stuck to playing short passes under pressure instead of opting for long clearances.
At the time, Maresca defended his tactical approach:
“My message to Filip was: ‘if you play long ball, I will change you.’ So he was just doing what I told him to.”
A Clear Philosophy, Whether Fans Like It or Not
One thing is certain—Maresca is unwavering in his football philosophy. While fans might not enjoy watching cautious, possession-heavy football, they may be more forgiving if it ultimately delivers victories and silverware. For now, Chelsea supporters will have to get used to the methodical approach, as Maresca has no intention of changing course.
