Chelsea and Enzo Maresca didn’t end on the best of terms after a disagreement over the medical department at Stamford Bridge.
The Chelsea owners have always been quite controversial in their approach to managers, refusing to allow Thomas Tuchel to enter the dressing room before he was sacked.
And it was no different with Enzo Maresca. The former Chelsea boss came to an agreement to leave the club, despite winning two trophies the season prior.
It was put down to disagreements over injuries and the medical department, as the club even put a staff member in charge of making sure Maresca was subbing returning players properly.
The constant back and forth eventually led to a parting of ways.
And now Maresca still appears to be bothered by the situation.
Chelsea’s injury list is growing…
How concerned are you by the influx of injuries under Liam Rosenior?
Enzo Maresca talks about FIFA injury findings on Chelsea
Maresca has suggested he’s set to stay in England when talking at a recent awards ceremony.
And at that same ceremony, he spoke about some recent FIFA data about Chelsea injuries (as per FCInter1908).
“What do I think about the fact that we play too much? Either you adapt or you don’t train or you don’t play a player. The reality is that there are more and more games: with Chelsea playing in the Club World Cup we didn’t take holidays, retirement, everything is a consequence.
“A few days ago a FIFA study came out that indicated Chelsea and PSG as the teams with the most injuries, coincidentally the finalists of the World Cup. In short, either you adapt or you struggle.”
Was Enzo Maresca right all along?👀
Enzo Maresca on Chelsea injuries
Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca’s point proven
Enzo Maresca’s comments at the Panchina d’Oro ceremony suggest his earlier warnings about squad fatigue were supported by data. He has highlighted a direct link between their success as the 2025 Club World Cup finalists and the subsequent physical toll on their players.
This perspective is reinforced by the Howden Men’s European Football Injury Index, which recorded 23 injuries for Chelsea between June and October 2025—a 44% spike compared to the previous season.
During his tenure, he frequently noted the consequences of a congested calendar, at once point missing seven or eight players for a single match against Liverpool.
With Jamie Gittens the latest added to a long list, it’s starting to all make sense.
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