Enzo Maresca furious! Chelsea manager cancels day off after first team suffers 3-0 defeat to U21s in training match.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca allegedly called off his team’s scheduled day off following a 3-0 training defeat to the club’s U21 squad.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Athletic reports that Maresca had planned for the team to have Thursday (March 27) off, but he canceled it after his first-team, composed of non-international players and top academy members, suffered a heavy loss to their younger, less experienced opponents midweek. Although it wasn’t a full 90-minute match, the manner of the defeat upset the Italian manager.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Chelsea were vying for the Premier League title at the end of last year, but a series of disappointing results has now put them in a tough fight for Champions League qualification. With growing doubts about Maresca’s future at the club, this move by the former Leicester City boss highlights his desire to uphold high standards at Chelsea.
DID YOU KNOW?
In the training match, where the under-21s even enlisted under-16 players, Donnell McNeilly is said to have scored two goals for the younger side.
WHAT NEXT?
Maresca will be hoping for a significant improvement from his Chelsea players when they face local rivals Tottenham at home next Thursday in the Premier League.
