Enzo Maresca move shocks after Chelsea held by Ipswich – ‘Hell of an indictment’
Enzo Maresca’s has caused major surprise with his “indictment” of the Chelsea players after their draw with Ipswich.
The Blues began the season as surprise challengers for the Premier League, but have quickly faded and are now facing the very real possibility of missing out on the Champions League for next season.
Having joined from Championship winners Leicester in the summer, Maresca is facing serious pressure to keep his job at Chelsea.
During the 2-2 draw with Ipswich on Sunday (13 April), fans at Stamford Bridge could be heard making “boring” chants and booed off the players at half and full time.
The Italian manager then commented on the “environment” the fans had created, surprising ex-Blues striker Chris Sutton on the It’s All Kicking Off! podcast with his comments about how the supporters had affected the way his team had played against the Tractor Boys.
Enzo Maresca ‘environment’ comments leave Chris Sutton in shock
Whilst speaking about Chelsea’s result against Ipswich, co-host Ian Ladyman asked Sutton how easy it is to block out the crowd as a player, to which the former Premier League champion with Blackburn Rovers responded: “Well, it’s your job to isn’t it really?
“Can it affect you? Well, you’d rather your fans backed you, wouldn’t you? Than boo you.
“It’s interesting what Maresca said there because he’s suggesting, well, not suggesting, he’s saying it’s affected their decision-making, that should never be the case.
“When you think this is a billion-pound squad which was assembled at Chelsea, young, talented players, but you have to have the character and temperament when you’re suffering a little bit and going through those difficult moments.
“I was really surprised that Maresca came out and said what he said. Whether he’s telling the truth or not, he clearly sees it that way, I am not dismissing that, but that’s a hell of an indictment on the players.”
Chelsea fans experience same woes as Leicester under Enzo Maresca
Football Insider Verdict
When Maresca made the switch from Leicester to Chelsea in the summer, fans of the Foxes were surprisingly unbothered about losing the manager who had guided them to a Championship title with 97 points.
Many thought it was somewhat of a coping mechanism, perhaps this was just how they were choosing to deal with the loss of the Italian, an exercise in nonchalance.
However, it is clear to see now the foreshadowing of Leicester’s detachment from their manager should perhaps have been headed a little stronger.
Chelsea’s aggressive transfer strategy, which included signing 12 first-team players in the summer, including Jadon Sancho on-loan from Man United, has not payed dividends.
| 2024/25 Premier League stats | Palmer |
| Appearances | 31 |
| Starts | 30 |
| Goals | 14 |
| Assists | 8 |
| Minutes | 2,656 |
The former Man City assistant manager has taken a crop of young, talented and exciting players and created a playing style seemingly over-reliant on Cole Palmer’s moments of genius and without them, the style of football is indeed, boring.
Maresca was frustrated with Chelsea attempting long passes against Ipswich, and the Blues’ supporters were frustrated to see their side be outplayed by a side destined for relegation.
Meanwhile, Leicester fans are probably feeling somewhat smug, seeing the relationship between fans and manager in West London fall to pieces.