Alan Pardew has made a scathing attack on Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, criticising his tactics and play. Maresca guided the Blues to a 4-1 win over Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final. The Italian manager also drove the Blues into fourth place, behind Manchester City in the Premier League.
However, Pardew is still not sure about Maresca. Speaking on talkSPORT, the former Newcastle United and Crystal Palace boss raised his concerns:
“There are decisions he makes structurally in the team that sort of… baffling is the only word I can use for it.
“And also, I find the style of play a little bit, kind of this tendency in the Premier League to keep the ball and to sort of make the other team suffer rather than go and attack the other team. This seems to be one of his philosophies and I don’t like that.”
Chelsea, under Maresca, became the first side to have won all four major UEFA titles after adding the European Conference League. The ultimate comeback victory came through Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho, and Moises Caicedo, whose goals turned the tables after trailing an early goal.
Pardew may continue to play the critic. However, the Blues’ success under Maresca seems to bode well for a rosy future with the club well-positioned to continue next season.
Enzo Maresca Slams Critics
After leading Chelsea to qualify for the Champions League, Enzo Maraesca told his critics to “f off” in his press conference. He has now doubled down on his comments, slamming the critics:
“If you ask them, they’re going to say that from their point of view, they were talking the right way, but from our point of view, they were not. And the reason why is because, yes, we are the youngest [squad] in the history of the Premier League, but at the same time, they are men.
“I also use the critics to say, ‘guys today, it’s a chance that we can say that we are not young, we are mature enough, we can compete, and we can do the right things’.”