Chelsea dey enjoy correct season for pitch right now — dem don reach EFL Cup semi-finals, dey inside Premier League top four, and still dey Champions League playoff zone. But behind di scenes, matter no be so smooth, as Enzo Maresca future for Stamford Bridge don start dey shake because of im recent outbursts.
Ever since di Italian coach talk say di “most difficult 48 hours wey e don experience” don pass for Chelsea, e don begin irritate di club board with im talk about “lack of support”. As di matter dey stand now, Chelsea don begin dey monitor former Barcelona head coach Xavi Hernandez as possible replacement if Maresca waka comot.
Dis information come from Football Insider. Xavi bin coach Barcelona from 2021 to 2024, and during dat period, e help dem win La Liga title after four dry seasons without league trophy. E also carry Spanish Super Cup during im time for Camp Nou.
Since e leave Barcelona, di 45-year-old no dey work. For November, Spartak Moscow try approach am, but Xavi turn dem down. Now, di Spaniard don enter Chelsea radar if change fit happen for di dugout.
Crisis Don Enter Between Enzo Maresca and Chelsea
Di whole issue start last Saturday (13th) after Chelsea beat Everton 2-0 for Stamford Bridge on matchday 16. For im post-match press conference, Maresca shock journalists as e openly talk say e no dey feel supported by Chelsea, both generally and when e come to im work.
Di Italian coach talk dis thing during period wey no public fight dey with fans or press. E even make am clear say e no dey blame supporters, instead suggesting say di problem dey “general”.
Wayne Rooney later describe Maresca interview as “premeditated”, saying e look like direct message to Chelsea hierarchy. On Monday (15th), Maresca attend another press conference, but e no explain im comments, neither e show regret for wetin e talk.
Di Italian coach also confirm say e never talk with Chelsea executives since di crisis start over di weekend. Sources inside Chelsea — wey beg make dem name no show — admit say nobody for di club expect such behaviour from Maresca.
Fans Back Maresca But Uncertainty Still Dey Around Im Future
Despite di manager complaint about two rough days, insiders claim say nothing serious happen inside Chelsea wey fit explain di outburst. Dis one just add more confusion internally, as nobody really understand wetin trigger am.
On Wednesday (16th), Chelsea fans sing Maresca name during di 3-1 win over Cardiff City away from home for EFL Cup quarter-finals. After final whistle, di Italian coach waka go di away end go thank di fans for dem support.
But when e reach press room for im interview, Maresca body language no too sweet, and one journalist ask whether e happy with di result. Di coach answer say e proud of im players, but di cloud of uncertainty around im Chelsea future still dey hang.
