Though many will want to forget about the drama that unfolded at Chelsea this week, those close to the club have more to say about Enzo Maresca’s outburst.
Last night’s Carabao Cup win is still fresh, and deserves to be the main topic of conversation around Stamford Bridge.
Unfortunately, it still isn’t, with Maresca’s relationship with the club a far more pertinent issue for most.
After the game, Chelsea fans sang Maresca’s praises, literally, showing that the issue is not between the coach and the fans. Rather, it is with those behind the scenes.
Maresca’s feeling the love!
Where do you stand on the Enzo Maresca saga?
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Ben Jacobs shares what he has heard about Enzo Maresca inside Chelsea
There has been plenty of speculation as to what exactly the grievances were that the Italian felt necessary to take into the public domain. Despite the reports suggesting it was an emotional outburst from Maresca, Ben Jacobs claims it wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment thing.
As Jacobs reveals in the GiveMeSport newsletter: “Chelsea insiders stress it was just an emotional reaction to an important victory, but my understanding is Maresca’s comments were brewing for quite some time.
“Nothing is untenable, and it’s certainly not the beginning of the end, but Maresca doesn’t necessarily feel he has the same protection as Ruben Amorim, who Sir Jim Ratcliffe said should be judged in years, or Mikel Arteta if you look at his early Arsenal days.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta embraces with Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca before competing in a Premier League match.
Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
We know that Chelsea’s owners have been vocal about wanting rotation, but when it doesn’t work out, Maresca feels like he is the one who has to suffer the consequences.
He continues: “Maresca is not afraid to speak his mind and at times feels he’s been scapegoated for rotating his squad when in fact it’s a core part of Chelsea’s strategy in order to expose and develop young talent.
“And Maresca wanted another centre-back after Levi Colwill’s ACL injury, but the sporting directors decided to back Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Josh Acheampong, Jorrel Hato and Trevoh Chalobah to fill the void.”
Only Arsenal have a conceded less in the Premier League than Chelsea this season!
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Trevoh Chalobah of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's goal with teammate Wesley Fofana
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
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Maresca’s criticism is welcomed by Chelsea, just not in public
That the manager had a complaint isn’t the issue for Chelsea. It’s more the explosive manner in which it was delivered.
Jacobs thinks the owners are open to what Maresca has to say.
As he explains: “The thing to understand is that Chelsea’s model is ultimately collaborative and there is always freedom to challenge. Maresca will at times disagree with the hierarchy, and that’s actually viewed as quite healthy by many at Chelsea.
“It’s clear Maresca’s issue is internal, and not with the fans or media, but it’s unlikely Chelsea change their model given the owners and sporting directors feel it is on track and starting to yield on-field success.”
While those at the club clearly aren’t too concerned with how events have unfolded in the last week, it does sound like these wounds could easily open again with another poor run of results.
It’s hard to see this being the last war of words between Maresca and his bosses.
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