“It’s unacceptable” “I won’t allow you to get me sacked” – Enzo Maresca ‘Hits’ at Chelsea star performances after Bournemouth 2-2 draw
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has sparked controversy with his scathing criticism of one of his key players following the team’s disappointing performance in their recent match against Bournemouth. The game ended in a frustrating draw, with Chelsea struggling to create clear-cut chances and missing several opportunities to secure a win.
Although Maresca refrained from naming the player directly in his post-match interview, sources suggest the criticism was aimed at a forward who, despite being in prime positions to contribute to the team, failed to make decisive assists or take meaningful shots.
According to Maresca, the player’s reluctance to share the ball and focus on teamwork severely hampered Chelsea’s chances of securing all three points against Bournemouth.
When asked by TNT Sports in the UK if a draw was a fair result, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca did not think it was and said his side should have won the game as he hits at Nicolas Jackson for missing so many chances.
“I don’t think so. I think we deserved much more. Especially first half. It’s a game that we could finish 2-0 or 3-0 in the first half with the amount of shots and chances from Nicolas Jackson, but it is football,” Maresca said.
“The negative thing is that after we conceded the goal we completely changed the way we were playing in terms of we dropped a little bit. This is something we need to improve. Overall we completely deserved to win the game and unfortunately we didn’t win.”
Asked about Chelsea’s lack of clinical finishing costing them, Maresca admitted it keeps costing them and it’s something they have to improve.
“The most important thing is to create chances. But also we need to be clinical. It happened already in the last four, five games. Happened many times,” Maresca said. “Palace was the last game away, we were 1-0 up and create many chances, we didn’t score and then in the end we conceded. Tonight, more or less, the same happened. The only thing is in the previous game we never changed, we never dropped after we concede. Tonight we dropped after we concede the penalty. The changed a little bit, we dropped a little bit. This is something that we need to improve.”
“I expect my players to put the team first, to fight for every ball, and to seize opportunities that benefit the collective effort,” Maresca said. “Today, one of our players let the team down by refusing to create crucial chances or take responsibility in front of goal. It’s unacceptable, and it won’t be tolerated.”
The Chelsea boss added that such behavior goes against the philosophy he is trying to instill at Stamford Bridge and vowed to take decisive action. “I can’t allow selfishness to dictate the way we play. That’s why this player will not be included in the squad for the next three matches. It’s a tough decision, but it’s necessary for the good of the team,” Maresca stated.
Fans have reacted strongly to Maresca’s comments, with many taking to social media to speculate about the identity of the player in question. Some believe the criticism was aimed at a high-profile attacking player who has faced scrutiny in recent weeks for inconsistent performances, while others argue that the comments were exaggerated and could damage team morale.
On the other hand, some Chelsea supporters have applauded Maresca’s firm stance, viewing it as a necessary step to address individualism in the squad and ensure that players prioritize teamwork. “This is the kind of leadership we need,” one fan wrote. “If you’re not playing for the badge, you don’t deserve to play at all.”
As Chelsea prepares for their next fixtures, all eyes will be on Maresca’s lineup and whether his bold decision pays off. For now, the controversy serves as a reminder of the high standards and discipline required to succeed under Maresca’s leadership.