Nottingham Forest FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
Enzo Maresca can finish his first season at Chelsea with a trophy on Wednesday night (Picture: Getty Images)
Chelsea legend John Terry can understand fans’ frustrations with Enzo Maresca’s style of play, encouraging his former side to be more direct at times.
The Blues have had a solid first season under Maresca, booking their return to Champions League football by finishing fourth in the Premier League table.
It is an improvement from last season when they finished sixth and the west Londoners can end the campaign on a high on Wednesday night when they take on Real Betis in the Europa Conference League final.
However, Maresca has come in for some criticism from Chelsea fans over his first year in charge, with his style of play causing some frustration.
Terry sympathises with supporters who feel there is an over-reliance on playing out from the back when it is not always effective.
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The iconic centre-back has called for a more direct approach at times, recalling the success it brought in Chelsea teams he played in.
‘I think at times we’ve probably over-played when the pressure is on a little bit,’ the 44-year-old told talkSPORT.
Chelsea FC U18 v Norwich City U18: U18 Premier League
John Terry shares the frustrations of some Chelsea fans (Picture: Getty Images)
‘I think when we look to our era, when we played, sometimes we’d have the option to go long into Didier [Drogba]. And it’s not a long ball, it’s a good ball from Petr Cech or [Branislav] Ivanovic who had the diagonal, but you could break lines and now I think we invite press a little bit too often
‘I think other teams do it, it’s not just Chelsea who are doing it. Man City have got a lot to answer for. I think Man City are the best at it and everyone tries to do it but they can’t, so if you can’t do it I would always go: “Can we beat the press and play a little bit higher up?”
‘I think the fans have been frustrated with that over time. I get that sometimes you’ve got to do that to suck teams in and then get beyond them, but we’ve not done that as well this year.’
Manchester City FC Training Session - UEFA Champions League: Final
Enzo Maresca worked at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola (Picture: Getty Images)
Despite some discontent among some fans, Terry sees the return to Champions League football as significant in terms of Chelsea attracting the kind of player to keep improving next season.
‘Naturally the fans get frustrated, but we’ve managed to secure fourth, we’re there, so good experience from the boys this year,’ he said.
‘Champions League football for them and making signings and attracting players is big for us next year.’
Despite this, Terry does not see Chelsea challenging for the Premier League title next season, believing that the three clubs finishing above them this campaign are too far in front of them.
‘I think we’re a couple of years off, if I’m honest,’ he admitted. ‘When I look at Man City, Liverpool, I think they’re stronger than us at the minute. Arsenal have been really consistent as well.’
Maresca had a clear message for Chelsea doubters after they beat Nottingham Forest on the final day of the Premier League season to secure Champions League football.
Nottingham Forest FC v Chelsea FC - Premier League
The Premier League season ended positively for Chelsea (Picture: Getty Images)
‘I didn’t have any doubt about the players,’ the Italian said in a post-match press conference. ‘The doubt was from outside.
‘All the ones that have the answers or the ones that have the truth, they were saying that we are too young, we are not good enough, they we were waiting for Aston Villa to drop points for us to achieve the Champions League.
‘They were saying that we were not able to win on this pitch because we are too young, because we are not experienced. Unfortunately for them, they have all been wrong.
‘All the ones that have the truth and have the answer to everything. So in English, how you say? F off to all of them, because the players deserve that. The effort they have been doing is fantastic.’
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