INTERNAL RIFT: ANALYZING ENZO MARESCA'S CRYPTIC RANT AFTER CRUCIAL 2-0 WIN
Enzo Maresca dropped a bombshell, claiming the 48 hours before the Everton win were his "worst" at Chelsea due to a lack of support. We analyse who the unnamed critics might be.
After Chelsea's 2-0 victory over Everton, which put them fourth in the Premier League, Enzo Maresca said he'd had a rough couple of days.
The win at Stamford Bridge stopped a four-game winless streak. Yet, the manager criticised unnamed people for not backing him and the team. He did make clear he wasn't talking about the fans.
Cole Palmer scored, which seemed to lift the mood. However, Maresca still seemed upset, despite the win easing some pressure.
"The last two days have been tough because many people didn't support the team and me," he said. Generally speaking.
When asked if he meant the fans, he replied, I love the fans, and we're happy with them.
Maresca made this surprising statement after answering a question about Malo Gusto's performance. Gusto scored Chelsea's second goal.
Earlier, he had mentioned that winning was the only way to stop fans from complaining online. He also reflected on his 30 years in soccer, noting that people complain when you don't win.
It wasn't clear if his comments after the Everton game were aimed at online reactions or something else. However, he defended his players, who ended a tough run that included losses to Leeds and Atalanta, plus a goalless draw at Bournemouth.
The players put in a lot of effort. Reece (James) and Malo usually play as full-backs, but today they were midfielders, he said.
Their effort, willingness to learn, and open minds have been great. That's why I'm praising them. Even with several issues, they're doing well after a hard week.”
Palmer's goal was the highlight of the match. This year has been tough for Palmer, dealing with two injuries.
Wesley Fofana passed to Gusto, who then made an excellent pass. Palmer ran through the defence and scored past the goalkeeper.
"We're a better team with Cole," said Maresca. I really commend the players. We played 16 Premier League games, five without Moises Caicedo, 11 without Cole Palmer, and most without Liam Delap. Whoever plays is doing a great job.
We played almost the entire season without our best player. That's why I'm so happy for the players. I wish people on the outside could appreciate that.
Everton's boss, David Moyes, was disappointed with the loss, which ended his team's good run.
Maybe we played one of our best away games. "We've had some good results away from home," he said.
But we couldn't finish. We missed a couple of runners at times when they showed quality. We stayed close, and that's what we need to do.
CHELSEA OPEN TALKS WITH JORGE MENDES FOR DORTMUND’S VERSATILE FORWARD KARIM ADEYEMI
Chelsea contact Jorge Mendes for Karim Adeyemi. See why Man United and Newcastle could hijack the €70m deal.
Chelsea reached out to Jorge Mendes, the well-known agent, hoping to land Karim Adeyemi from Borussia Dortmund. But things aren’t simple. Manchester United and Newcastle United are also circling, and Chelsea might just miss out.
Adeyemi joined Dortmund in 2022, and he’s locked in there until 2027. Since then, he’s really made a name for himself in the Bundesliga, showing off his versatility as both a winger and a forward. This season, he’s mostly played as a second striker, netting 10 goals and providing five assists over 37 matches across all competitions.
Chelsea seems pretty impressed. They’ve already connected with Mendes to talk about a deal for the 24-year-old, and reports say they’re keeping talks pretty active. But it’s not just them; Man United have apparently made Adeyemi their top transfer target, and Newcastle are interested too.
Dortmund actually want to keep Adeyemi and has put a new contract on the table, but there’s a snag: his agents want a release clause worth €80 million (£69.7m). Dortmund aren’t willing to go that high. Instead, they’re open to selling for a bit less, around €65-70 million, or up to £61 million, in the summer.
That’s a price Chelsea can handle, but the German reports think it’s more likely Adeyemi ends up with Manchester United or Newcastle for a slightly lower fee, maybe €60-65 million (up to £56.6m). Mendes is also exploring backup options and could float Adeyemi’s name to Bayern or PSG.
Then there’s the whole Champions League angle. Chelsea’s status is in doubt for next season, and questions are swirling around manager Liam Rosenior’s future. That uncertainty doesn’t help their pitch. Meanwhile, United look set to finish high in the Premier League and secure Champions League football, which probably makes them a more appealing landing spot for Adeyemi right now.
CHELSEA TEENAGER ESTEVAO "DEVASTATED" AND IN TEARS FOLLOWING EARLY HAMSTRING WITHDRAWAL
Chelsea lost 1-0 to Manchester United. Estevao is injured, and the Blues are now scoreless in four straight games.
Liam Rosenior said Chelsea’s Estevao was “devastated” and in tears after getting injured during Saturday’s 1-0 home loss to Manchester United. Estevao, just 18, started well but had to come off after only 16 minutes.
It looked like he hurt his hamstring while pushing forward against United. Rosenior put on Alejandro Garnacho to replace him, but Garnacho struggled too, going up against his old team.
After the match, Rosenior talked about Estevao, who’s desperate to make the World Cup squad this summer. “He was devastated; he was crying at half-time,” Rosenior explained.
“It looks like his hamstring. He was running through on goal and pulled it right then.”
Now Estevao’s future, even for Tuesday’s match at Brighton, looks uncertain. Enzo Fernandez, who left late in the game, is also in doubt, but Rosenior sounded more hopeful about him. “I think it was his calf,” he said. “I’m hoping it was just a cramp. We need him for Tuesday.”
Chelsea’s defeat is their fourth straight Premier League loss without finding the net. By the end of the weekend, they could be seven points away from the Champions League spots. United only needed one shot on target; Matheus Cunha scored in the first half, and that was enough.
“It’s so tough,” Rosenior said afterwards. “They had one shot on target when we were down to ten men.
“We just kept coming at them and hit the woodwork four times. I don’t want the players to get stuck thinking the world’s against us. We have to keep fighting.”
He went on: “We need to defend those moments better. We’re making small errors, and every time, the ball ends up in our net. That has to stop.
“It all comes down to results, and we should’ve won today. Every little thing adds up, but we’ll keep working hard.”
After Brighton, Chelsea go up against Leeds in the FA Cup semi-final next Sunday.
