The Chelsea hierarchy is not usually one to accept confrontation and will not be best pleased with Maresca talking out of turn. The Blues board were quick to dismiss Thomas Tuchel, despite the German lifting the Champions League with the club, after he offered a difficult and argumentative presence in the Stamford Bridge dugout.
Yet, sacking Tuchel, in hindsight, did not bring any joy, with each of his successors, Graham Potter, Frank Lampard and Mauricio Pochettino flattering to deceive, despite possessing a squad worth over £1 billion. Maresca is the only BlueCo-appointed manager to have qualified the side for the Champions League and has even helped lift silverware during his time as manager.
Maresca was massively credited with bringing success at the Club World Cup, with his tactical setup nullifying and shocking a previously unassailable Paris Saint-Germain, and also delivered the Conference League title last term. He may be treading a dangerous path by criticising the board, but Maresca has earned himself some time and power to raise concerns.