Enzo Fernandez has criticized Chelsea’s management for permitting Enzo Maresca to leave Stamford Bridge, saying the Italian’s exit “hurt us a lot.” Less than six months after Maresca led Chelsea to triumph in the Club World Cup in July, the two parted ways on New Year’s Day.
During Maresca’s final weeks in charge, Chelsea had only won one of seven Premier League games and was 15 points behind leaders Arsenal. The difference between Arsenal and Chelsea has now increased to 22 points under Liam Rosenior, while Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate in their Champions League last-16 encounter last month.
After Levi Colwill’s ACL injury last summer, Maresca battled with Chelsea’s board over their inability to find a new center defense. He also accused top officials behind the scenes of failing to support him during a 2-0 victory against Everton in December.
Fernandez was questioned about the club’s decision to accept Maresca’s exit earlier this season in an interview with Mexican station TUDN following Chelsea’s 3-0 Champions League home loss to PSG on Tuesday night.
Chelsea star hits out at club for sacking Enzo Maresca
Fernandez’s remarks coincide with concerns about his future at Chelsea, and this outburst will undoubtedly make things worse. Fernandez said that he was unaware of the reasons for CFC’s decision to split from Maresca in an interview with the Mexican channel TUDN. According to the Metro, the former Benfica player stated, “I don’t understand it either.”
“As players, there are instances when we don’t understand how they attempt to handle things. Since we had an identity, it was obviously a departure that caused us great pain. Even if there are good and terrible periods in football, he gave us an order.
“But when it came to training and playing, he always had a very clear identity. His departure obviously hurt us a lot, especially in the middle of the season; it cuts everything short.”
Fernandez doesn’t seem very content with his life at Chelsea, and we already know that the west London powerhouses are getting set to let him go. Chelsea is searching for Fernandez’s replacement, and there has long been a suspicion that he may consider leaving.
