Enzo Maresca had his future with Chelsea in big doubt earlier this month when he claimed there was “no support”, but the Italian added to that comment after the Blues’ Carabao Cup victory over Cardiff.
Enzo Maresca insists he is “happy” at Chelsea despite recently claiming he has had to endure “the worst 48 hours” at the club. The former Leicester manager went on an extraordinary rant at the weekend, claiming he felt a lack of support, but stopped short of confirming who his comments were directed at.
Maresca was serenaded by Chelsea fans after the Londoners reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals with a 3–1 win over Cardiff. Asked about the reception he received, Maresca said: “I’m just happy. We’ll be playing in the semi-finals again and I think the fans deserve that.”
“It was a great moment. I’m grateful and I’ll always be grateful. There were moments when they didn’t win the game and they weren’t happy, but that’s normal. But overall, the fans were always there.”
“These games make me fall in love with the players even more because you can’t imagine how easily they slip and slide because they are tricky games.
“Every season there are teams that lose to League Two and League One. We need to be careful and we need to do the right thing.”
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Asked if he had had any discussions with Chelsea’s leaders following his comments at the weekend, Maresca added: “No, as I said yesterday (Monday), the day after the Everton game, I have started preparing for Cardiff. My focus is on Cardiff.”
“I just said I was going to watch (Saturday’s opponents) Newcastle on the bus and I didn’t speak to anyone. I didn’t, no, it’s okay.”
“I’ve always said I’m happy from day one, so it’s not that I’m not happy tonight. I’m happy. I’ve got three hours from now until I get to Cobham (Chelsea’s training ground) and I’m going to watch two Newcastle games.”
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“We don’t have time. It’s time for the players. As a staff, we’re going to focus on the next game, against Newcastle, so we’re going to prepare.”
After Chelsea find a way past Cardiff, they will have to wait a little while to find their semi-final opponent. Manchester City host Brentford on Wednesday night, while Newcastle face Fulham. Arsenal will face Crystal Palace next week in their final game to advance to the last eight.
Maresca’s team will return on Saturday afternoon en route to Newcastle. The Blues currently sit fourth in the Premier League, eight points behind leaders Arsenal.
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