
Enzo Maresca has urged Chelsea fans to “trust” his methods and told them that the club is heading in the right direction compared to the previous two seasons.
Maresca has come under increasing criticism from the club’s supporters for his style of play this campaign. The team were booed off at half-time and full-time when they drew 2-2 against Ipswich Town on Sunday, a result which left them sixth in the Premier League table.
Advertisement
Since the Todd Boehly-Clearlake consortium took over in May 2022, Chelsea have failed to qualify for the Champions League, finishing 12th and sixth respectively.
This is Maresca’s first year in charge at Stamford Bridge having succeeded Mauricio Pochettino in June and the team have been in the top four for most of the campaign.
Maresca believes this is evidence they are making progress and said: “In my mind, I think the team is ready (to make a step forward). The reason why I say that is because I think we proved it this season, even if sometimes from the outside it is difficult to see that.
“In the last two years, Chelsea has been top four zero times. This season we have been top four most of our season. I was not here last season, two years ago, I am not judging what happened last year or two years ago. I am just judging this season.

Chelsea were booed during Sunday’s draw with Ipswich
“And this is the reason why I think fans, they have to trust us, they have to trust the team, they have to trust the club, what we are doing now. This season we spent almost all our season in the top four. I think it’s a big proof that the team is improving and is doing the right things.
“Now, is it enough? For me, no. Because I would like to fight with this club for titles, for Premier League, for Champions League. But at the same time, I think we have to be realistic and see that this team, this season, is improving. It’s there, it’s numbers.
“Now we are not in the top four, unfortunately top five, so we are not happy. We are going to try to finish there. But it’s proof that we are doing the right things.”
Maresca has installed a style which involves passing out from the back and with first choice keeper Robert Sanchez often getting many touches of the ball.
This has been the source of a lot of frustration from the stands and Chelsea’s head coach was verbally abused by some individuals near the dug-out on Sunday. But Maresca is going to stand by his principles.
Advertisement
Pressed on whether he believes in his approach, Maresca added: “First of all, 100 per cent. And then also because I’m not able to do a different kind of style. I’m not the one to do a different kind of style.
“Me, personally, no (I didn’t hear the abuse during the Ipswich game) because I was focused on the game, to be honest. I always try to be focused on the game, to see what is going on, to see if we need to change things, if everything is working well.”
Maresca is expected to make a number of changes for the UEFA Conference League match at home to Legia Warsaw on Thursday night. Chelsea boast a 3-0 lead from the first leg of their quarter-final tie.
(Julian Finney/Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
Be the first to leave a comment