Chelsea’s former manager, Enzo Maresca, has spoken to the press for the first time since leaving the club on New Year’s Day. The 46-year-old Italian didn’t talk about why he left Stamford Bridge when he spoke to Mundo Maldini. Instead, he paid tribute to one of the players who did well under his management.
During Maresca’s time in charge, Cucurella played 79 times and scored seven goals, all in the 2024/25 season. He also had six assists in those games. But this season, under new head coach Liam Rosenior, his production has dropped a lot. He has only scored one goal and assisted once since January 2026.
Maresca didn’t hold back when he talked about how much he liked the 27-year-old Spanish international:
“I adore him, adore him, I think he’s every coach’s dream, he’s a spectacular guy, humble, he works every day, he’s a winner, he wants to win. With me, he has also brought out his goal scoring side, he scored 7-8 goals he never scored in his life.”
“I hope for the best for him, he deserves everything, him, his family, everything.”
If Pep Guardiola leaves Manchester City at the end of the season, reports say that Maresca is the most likely person to take over at the Etihad Stadium. The Italian might want to work with Cucurella again at his next job, since he sees the left-back as the best example of the inverted full-back role that is key to his tactical system.
Cucurella’s Form Has Dropped Since Maresca’s Departure From Stamford Bridge
The difference between Cucurella’s performances with Maresca and now shows how much the Italian affected the Spaniard’s career path. Under Maresca, Cucurella went from being a solid defensive full-back to a real goal threat. He would switch to midfield and often charge into the other team’s penalty area.
Things have gotten worse for both Cucurella and Chelsea overall since Maresca left. Liam Rosenior’s team, the Blues, have lost four games in a row and haven’t scored in the last three. After losing to Paris Saint-Germain in a humiliating manner, Chelsea were also eliminated from the Champions League. They are now in sixth place in the Premier League.
Chelsea will be eager to stop their slide when Premier League action resumes after the international break. Cucurella will also want to get back to the form that made Maresca say he was a dream to work with.