Internal issue behind Enzo Maresca’s cryptic Chelsea revelation

Enzo Maresca has an internal issue at Chelsea which prompted his post-match comments about not feeling supported, talkSPORT understands.

He is expected to clarify his words on Monday ahead of Chelsea’s trip to Cardiff City in the EFL Cup. 

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Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 to end a four-game winless run, but after the victory the Italian revealed the build up to Everton was his ‘worst’ since joining the club.

“This is the reason why I praise the players because with so many problems they are doing very well after a complicated week,” said Maresca.

“The last 48 hours has been the worst 48 hours since I joined the club because many people didn’t support us.”

Maresca was then pressed whether he was talking about members of the Chelsea hierarchy or the fans. He repeated, “The last 48 hours has been the worst 48 hours since I joined in general” before adding, “I love the fans and I am very happy with the fans.”

Whereas some Chelsea insiders have suggested Maresca’s press conference was simply an emotional reaction to a much-needed win, talkSPORT understands his frustration has been brewing for some time despite qualifying for the Champions League in his first season in charge and claiming both the Europa League and Club World Cup.

Maresca has won 54 of his 88 games at Chelsea yet had some mini-dips in form. His worst spell came last season over the festive and early New Year period, which included four defeats in five games between late January and mid-February.

Maresca has achieved silverware with the Premier League’s youngest squad and done so in his first season at the club.

Chelsea’s owners are known to appreciate Arsenal’s model and specifically Mikel Arteta, who also won a trophy in his first season at the Emirates Stadium and went through tough spells as well. Yet Alan Shearer told Match of the Day he believes Maresca isn’t being supported after losing matches.

“He wants us to talk about that [the post-match comments],” said Shearer. “He’s directing that at the board or the owners. And my guess is he doesn’t feel he’s getting the protection after a defeat, like they had in midweek, and obviously that hurts him.”

It has been made clear to Maresca that Chelsea’s youth-led model won’t dramatically change because it is backed by the hierarchy and starting to bear fruits. Co-owner Behdad Eghbali along with sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley believe the project is starting to pay off. And Chelsea have doubled down on their investment in youth by adding highly-rated recruitment expert Dave Fallows to work across football development.

Maresca also appreciates he is blessed with several talents, including Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian and relishes the chance to work with elite prospects on a daily basis. Yet talkSPORT can reveal the Chelsea boss was surprised at the lack of support after the loss to Atalanta in the Champions League. 

Maresca has perceived a lack of protection after other Chelsea losses as well, even though Chelsea insiders insist they unwaveringly backed the 45-year-old during the dip in form over the festive period last season and handed him a five-year contract when he joined.

Maresca has also had to deal with the long-term absence of Levi Colwill due to an ACL injury, and said publicly he wanted another defender over the summer, but Chelsea’s recruitment team decided against it.

And Cole Palmer has been absent with a groin injury in recent weeks, while Moises Caicedo missed the Everton game. 

The Chelsea boss hasn’t always felt these mitigating circumstances are considered when form dips. However, Chelsea’s model is collaborative with freedom to challenge both in recruitment and on-field strategy with disagreement viewed by many at the club as part of healthy debate not conflict.

Maresca has not only come under scrutiny for recent results. His selection, and specifically squad rotations have also been questioned. Several matches have seen 5+ changes this season. Chelsea could be in for a 70+-game season if they challenge on all fronts and off the back of the Club World Cup.

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talkSPORT understands Chelsea have empowered Maresca to rotate as they look to develop their squad, and ultimately raise the experience and value of several young players. 

The Chelsea boss is believed to understand the logic, and also want to ease the burden on certain players, but when the chopping and changing backfires, including the loss to Leeds, he feels he’s being scapegoated, often via the media, despite rotation being a core part of Chelsea’s strategy, something that’s encouraged not simply done out of necessity.

Chelsea’s owners remain calm after Maresca’s surprise outburst, expecting him to stress there is no specific issue with an owner or sporting director, and believe he has adapted well since joining from Leicester City in summer 2024. The Italian will be reviewed this summer as part of a pre-planned and two-way assessment.

This has not been added to the calendar based on recent results, nor is it framed around Maresca’s job security. It is simply part of Chelsea’s accountable model and applies to several high-profile staff members.

Maresca’s comments, and internal issue, will prompt further conversations as all parties try and get on the same page.

And those reading too much into Maresca not wearing a Chelsea tracksuit against Everton shouldn’t tie the move to the Chelsea boss’ apparent frustrations. It’s understood a new brand deal he has signed now requires Maresca to wear some non-Chelsea clothing. Maresca also didn’t wear a club kit against Atalanta or Bournemouth.