Despite Chelsea returning to winning ways at the weekend against Everton, Blues fans were left talking about comments made by their manager after the game.
Enzo Maresca launched an attack on his own club for the lack of support he had felt during their four-game run without a win in all competitions.
Enzo Maresca’s explosive ’48 hours’ rant has everyone talking 😶
Who do you think the Chelsea boss was referring to?
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Since then, reports have emerged of tension between Maresca and the board, something which has been the case since the summer when his request to sign a new centre-back fell on deaf ears.
Despite all the doom and gloom, Chelsea have the chance this week to book their place in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup when they face Cardiff City on Tuesday night.
Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Chelsea
Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images
Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea fate was sealed against Cardiff as Enzo Maresca prepares for EFL Cup quarter-final
The Chelsea Chronicle are expecting the Blues to rotate heavily, however the pressure is on the boss to deliver in these unprecedented circumstances.
It is the first time Chelsea have faced Cardiff since 2019, when Maurizio Sarri was in charge of the club.
Despite Cesar Azpilicueta and Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s late goals, Chelsea fans in attendance began to lose faith in their manager at the time.
Chants from the away end gave the impression that Blues supporters had given up on the patient and often tedious style of play the Italian brought to the club.
Despite Sarri winning the first trophy of his career in the form of the Europa League, it would be just one season in charge at Stamford Bridge, leaving just three months after the game against Cardiff.
Cardiff City v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Chelsea already lining up Maresca replacements
While there is no indication that Chelsea are planning to move on from Maresca yet, they have candidates waiting on the shortlist should they make a change.
Liam Rosenior is one of those the club admire, after the strong work he has been doing at fellow BlueCo club Strasbourg.
Imagine Enzo Maresca has just been sacked. Who should Chelsea hire to replace him?
Enzo Maresca annoyed watching Chelsea
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images
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The Blues have four managers on their list, including Cesc Fabregas and Oliver Glasner, however they should be putting their faith in Maresca at this stage.
The Italian has faced a very difficult task this season with the injuries suffered and quick turnaround from the Club World Cup always likely to prove issues.
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