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Tag: Maresca

  • Chelsea outcast hits out at Enzo Maresca after exit

    Chelsea outcast hits out at Enzo Maresca after exit

    Former Chelsea forward Christopher Nkunku has seemingly taken aim at new boss Enzo Maresca, insisting he ‘did everything’ before being forced out in the summer.

    The 27-year-old was one of the most notable members of Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’ throughout the summer transfer window having failed to establish himself under Maresca.

    Nkunku finally got a move away from Stamford Bridge in the final days of the window, joining Italian giants AC Milan for a reported fee of €42 million.

    “I got injured straight away and was out for five months, and upon my return I had a relapse,” Nkunku explained shortly after signing for Milan.

    “In my second year, I worked hard and did everything I could to be ready, and the coach made his choices.”

    Despite his lack of opportunity last season, the France international still managed to score 15 goals and providing five assists across all competitions.

  • EPL: Maresca confirms major Delap injury

    EPL: Maresca confirms major Delap injury

    Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca insists there’s no need to panic-buy after a hamstring injury suffered by Liam Delap during victory over Fulham.

    Chelsea won 2-0, though Maresca confirmed afterwards Delap had suffered a major setback.

    He said, “Liam’s injury doesn’t look good in terms of, he was full speed, hamstring, so that required, like always, weeks. And then in terms of another striker, to be honest, we just finished the game from the changing room and came here for the press conference, so now after, when we finish, we’re going to sit and we’ll see if we take any decision. That’s all.”

    Asked if having two strikers will be enough, with Nicolas Jackson now signing for Bayern Munich, Maresca was confident.

    He continued: “When you have two strikers, it’s enough. When one of them is injured for different weeks, probably it’s not enough. Today we played more than one hour with Tyrique (George), and he did brilliant. The last game he played as a No.9 was Man United at home last year.

    “Again, we try to use a different solution. If you remember last year, we used Pedro (Neto) in some games as a No.9. It’s because we are always looking for a solution, but for sure when you have two proper No.9s, it’s enough.”

    Maresca was also asked if Chelsea should cancel Jackson’s loan, but he insisted: “I just said, finish the game, come here, no idea. We’re going to sit now and we’ll see. Serious, honest, I don’t have any idea.”

  • EPL: Maresca provides Cole Palmer injury update

    EPL: Maresca provides Cole Palmer injury update

    Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has provided an update on Cole Palmer’s injury after the playmaker pulled out of the 5-1 Premier League win over West Ham on Friday (August 22).

    The 23-year-old watched on as Chelsea secured an impressive win over West Ham, courtesy of goals from Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, and Trevoh Chalobah.

    Palmer was forced to pull out of the game at the last minute and was replaced by Estevao having initially been named in the starting eleven.

    Speaking to reporters after the game, Maresca confirmed the England international has picked up an injury.

    Maresca said: “Cole was not 100 percent in the last few days, he tried in the warm-up to play but he was not right. We will see how bad it is. He was already not 100 percent against Palace but he tried to make an effort for the club, fans and team.”

    The Italian coach then added that it’s a groin injury.

  • Chelsea players surprised me in Man Utd win – Maresca

    Chelsea players surprised me in Man Utd win – Maresca

    Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was left pleased after their 1-0 win against Manchester United.

    Marc Cucurella proved the matchwinner, with Maresca delighted to strengthen their Champions League qualifying hopes.

    He said, “Very important. At this stage of the season it’s important to win games. We also pay attention in the way we win the game. I think tonight we struggled on the ball because we didn’t expect them to be so aggressive man-to-man.

    “I used to watch five, six, seven games of the other team. I’ve never seen them so aggressive man-to-man. So they surprised us a little by that.

    “Very, very nice (goal). The assist from the right full-back, the goal from the left full-back is the way I like to play. It’s nice. I think Cucu already scored this season an exactly similar goal against Brentford, against Wolves.

    “He’s in the right position at the right moment, so it’s not about how big you are, tall or small. Just to be in the right position at the right moment. Cucu is an intelligent player and he’s helping us also with the goals.”

  • Chelsea board make decision on Enzo Maresca

    Chelsea board make decision on Enzo Maresca

    Premier League club Chelsea are ready to stick with manager Enzo Maresca next season.

    BBC Sport says Chelsea will go with Maresca even if they fail to qualify for the Champions League this season.

    The Blues are into the Europa Conference League final and also sit fifth on the Premier League table. With the top five in England to qualify for the Champions League, Chelsea remain on track to make the elite competition next season.

    It’s suggested Maresca will be given to the end of next season to convince  co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, who won’t make a judgment until then.

    Chelsea will play Real Betis in Wroclaw, Poland, on 28 May, in the Europa Conference League final.

  • EPL: Chelsea make Maresca sack decision

    EPL: Chelsea make Maresca sack decision

    Premier League club Chelsea will continue to back incumbent manager Enzo Maresca despite their 1-0 defeat to rivals Arsenal on Sunday and growing frustrations among the fans regarding his style of play.

    According to BBC Sport, the 45-year-old still has a ‘platform to succeed’ at the West London club regardless of their ongoing poor run of form.

    Mikel Merino’s 20th-minute strike was more than enough to ear Mikel Arteta’s side a fairly comfortable 1-0 win at the Emirates, taking them nine points clear of Chelsea in fourth.

    It is emphasised that, unlike last season under Mauricio Pochettino, there is no sense of division behind the scenes or rising concerns about the club’s direction. Those in charge of key decisions remain fully convinced that Maresca is the right person for the job.

    Chelsea were considered early title challengers, rising as high as second before struggling throughout the festive period and the new year, winning just four of their last 13 Premier League games.

    Maresca’s side remain in Champions League contention come the end of the season, although newly crowned Carabao Cup champions Newcastle United sit two points behind them with a game in hand.

    The Italian defended his players after the defeat to Arsenal, suggesting that they ‘controlled the game’, a sentiment that fans didn’t appear to agree with.

    One fan wrote on X, formally known as Twitter,: “We controlled the game”??!! Honestly it’s worrying how deluded he is. Controlling the bits of the pitch with sideways passing doesn’t mean you control the game. We didn’t look threatening at all. Arsenal forced us wide & shut the central areas out comfortably.”

    Chelsea will host Ange Postecoglu’s struggling Tottenham side after the international break as they seek to do a Premier League double over their rivals.

  • Cucurella “has something that is difficult to find” – Maresca

    Cucurella “has something that is difficult to find” – Maresca

    Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has admitted that defender Marc Cucurella is a special talent after his performance against Leicester City.

    The Blues’ 1-0 win over the Foxes was thanks to the Spaniard’s pinpoint finish from outside the box which is his fifth since mid-December. Another three points took Maresca’s side back into the top four and he had nothing but praise for the 26-year-old who has played a pivotal role this season.

    Maresca said: “Marc has something that is difficult to find.

    “He is clever and is intelligent. He scored two goals against Wolves and Brentford and he is probably the smallest one in the team. This shows you how intelligent he is because he is in the right position.

    “He is playing like an attacking midfielder and is doing fantastic. He has scored four or five goals with us.”

    Cucurella will be hoping to make an impact in the Conference League on Thursday night as Chelsea look to finish the job against FC Kobenhavn in West London. Maresca may opt to rotate his side much like the first leg, but after a difficult 2-1 victory first time out the likes of Cucurella may get their chance to push the club into the next round and one step closer to the final.

  • Madueke hands Maresca fresh injury headache at Chelsea

    Madueke hands Maresca fresh injury headache at Chelsea

    Winger Noni Madueke has become the third Chelsea forward ruled out until after the March international break.

    The 22-year-old winger will be sidelined for over a month after suffering a hamstring injury in Friday’s 3-0 loss to Brighton, a game Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu also missed.

    Like them, Madueke isn’t expected back until April, as he is also set to miss out on selection for Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad ahead of next month’s World Cup qualifiers.

    “I don’t think we miss Joao. He’s happy there (Milan) and we’re happy that he’s happy,” manager Enzo Maresca stated about the loaned out forward Joao Felix.

    “Two injuries on the last day of the transfer window. It’s a tough one. Nico could be back soon.

    “Sometimes I think we need to play a few games without certain players to realise their importance.”

  • Enzo Maresca finds positives from FA Cup exit

    Enzo Maresca finds positives from FA Cup exit

    Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says there’s no reason to dwell on their FA Cup exit.

    Chelsea were eliminated at the fourth round by Brighton last night.

    But Maresca could see a positive from an early exit, insisting:  “We tried to come here and play our game.

    “We had some chances at 2-1. Now we can focus on the Premier League and the Conference League.

    “We always try to win games. But at the same time you have to take the consequences of the result.”

  • Maresca explains Felix exit ahead of Brighton Cup trip

    Maresca explains Felix exit ahead of Brighton Cup trip

    Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca offered a brief media conference this morning ahead of their FA Cup fourth round tie at Brighton on Saturday night.

    Maresca reviewed their winter market campaign, while also confirming a long-term injury for striker Marc Guiu.

    He said, “Marc unfortunately has a bad injury.

    “It looks a long injury. Exactly how long, I don’t know. Weeks or months.

    Nico (Jackson) is better. Could be a risk (for Brighton), but it doesn’t look like a long injury.

    “Before the last game, we had two strikers, Nico and Marc, sometimes with Christo (Nkunku) there. In case they are both out, we will find some different solutions.”

    On their January market, Maresca said: “We did all the things we need in terms of players we need to leave and players we wanted. We did everything we needed.

    “We were sure before the transfer window that Christo was one of the players we intended to keep.”

    On Joao Felix’s loan move to AC Milan, Maresca also said: “Nothing happened. Players want to play all of the games but unfortunately they can’t all play.

    “He never complained. He was professional. We need defensive balance and when you have so many attacking players, you can concede transitions and I don’t like that.”