Enzo Fernandez has laid bare the internal hurt caused by the sudden departure of Enzo Maresca, admitting that the Chelsea squad was left reeling by a decision they still struggle to comprehend.
Enzo Maresca’s tenure at Chelsea delivered the first silverware of the BlueCo era. Appointed in June 2024, the Italian quickly implemented a rigid, tactical identity that saw Chelsea dominate the ball, leading to a historic UEFA Conference League title and a 3-0 victory over PSG to claim the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Statistically, he achieved a respectable 59.78% win rate across 92 matches, securing a vital fourth-place finish in his only full season to return the club to the Champions League.
However, Maresca’s reign was cut short in January, following a breakdown in relations with the board and medical department.
Despite the trophies, his departure left a fractured dressing room.
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Chelsea FC v Paris Saint-Germain FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg
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Enzo Fernandez admits to being hurt over Enzo Maresca’s exit
Speaking during his recent interview with @jpsorin6 on Instagram, Enzo Fernandez pulled back the curtain on the emotional impact Maresca’s departure had on the squad.
“I don’t understand it either. Sometimes, there are things that we as players don’t understand, how and in what way they try to manage things. Obviously, it was a departure that hurt us a lot because we had an identity. He gave us an order, even though, as is the way of Football, sometimes it’s good and bad.
“But he always had a very clear identity when it came to training and playing, and obviously, his departure hurt us a lot, especially in the middle of the season; it cuts everything short.”
This comes less than a week after Fernandez cast doubt over his future.
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Is Enzo Maresca or Liam Rosenior the right man for Chelsea?
Maresca offered an identity that Fernandez clearly craves, a predictable, drilled system where every player knew their role to the millimeter. In contrast, Rosenior encourages more individual flair and positional fluidity, though Fernandez has praised the freedom that the new Chelsea boss has given him.
However, with the club currently sixth and the players mourning the loss of a clear identity, the pressure on Rosenior to prove his methods work in high-stakes matches has never been higher.
If the current instability continues, then you have to question whether this high-risk football is better than the reliability of a Maresca system.
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