Maresca Remains Confident Despite Chelsea Slump

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed confidence in his position, despite growing discontent among fans and a dip in form.

The Blues slipped to sixth in the Premier League after winning just five of 16 games and faced boos from supporters following their 2-1 quarter-final defeat to Legia Warsaw in the Conference League.

Despite these setbacks, Maresca believes he retains the backing of Chelsea’s owners. “Absolutely yes, no doubt,” he said when asked about his confidence in the club’s hierarchy.

Maresca pointed to the team’s strong season so far, highlighting their Champions League spot for most of the season and their current European semi-final berth. “We have spent almost all season in a Champions League spot. We are in a European semi-final. So why now we need to change something? I don’t have any doubt about what we are doing and the way we are doing,” he said.

“For different reasons we had setbacks like (against Legia), but for me this makes us stronger for the future.”

The Italian manager also acknowledged Chelsea captain Reece James’ criticism of the team’s performance against Legia, saying, “I think probably in part he was right in terms of, because of the first result, we tried to manage (the game) in the wrong way. Probably he’s right in what he said. He sort of takes us inside the changing room.”

Maresca had previously expressed concerns about James’ leadership skills, but now praises the England right-back for stepping up.

“My target was just this one, to try to get more from him. And now he’s doing well also in terms of leadership,” Maresca said. “When you don’t have a leader, at least you have to try to build some leaders. In this moment Reece is doing well. We have two or three players that are making the effort to help the rest.”