Former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca left Stamford Bridge on pretty bad terms with the Blues’ owners.
However, the Italian still has a lot of love for at least one Chelsea player and recently expressed that.
The team have struggled under Liam Rosenior, yet Chelsea are blaming Maresca for what can only be described as a disappointing season.
How many points will we pick up here?
And will it be enough to save Liam Rosenior’s job?
Enzo Maresca still loves Marc Cucurella
After winning both the Club World Cup and Conference League trophies, the likelihood is that Maresca still appreciates all of his former players at Chelsea. Cucurella seems to be one of his favourites, though.
Speaking on Mundo Maldini, the 46-year-old said: “I love him, I really love him. I think he’s the dream for any coach, because he’s an incredible guy, humble, works hard every single day. He’s a winner, he wants to win.
“With me, he’s even shown a goalscoring side. Last year he scored, I think, seven or eight goals for us, which he had never done in his career before. So yes, I love him, and I wish him the very best, I truly hope the best for him, because he deserves everything, him and his family, everything.”
Chelsea signed Cucurella from Brighton & Hove Albion for around £60m back in the summer of 2022.
Initially, it looked like the Blues had overpaid for Cucurella after his early struggles in west London.
However, the left-back really improved under Mauricio Pochettino before going up another gear when Maresca arrived.
As Maresca mentioned, Cucurella developed into a real goal threat under him. Unfortunately for Rosenior, the 27-year-old has just not reached the same heights this term.
For example, against Everton, Cucurella really struggled as he and his teammates succumbed to a 3-0 defeat just before the international break.
Enzo Maresca, Head Coach of Chelsea, interacts with Marc Cucurella
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Marc Cucurella’s stats under Enzo Maresca
In total, Cucurella made 79 appearances under Maresca. He scored seven goals, with all of them coming in the 2024/25 season.
Across those matches, the Spaniard was also able to provide six assists. Inverting into midfield and marauding into the opposition’s box, Cucurella caused so many teams problems last term.
Most importantly, though, Cucurella did his defensive duties and excellently you would have to say. He was arguably the best left-back in the Premier League last year.
Hopefully, the Spain international can return to that level again. He is one of the most experienced players in Rosenior’s squad; the others rely on him and need him at his very best.
The decline of Cucurella and Cole Palmer is perhaps one reason why Chelsea have regressed in the current campaign.
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