Enzo Maresca chose not to elaborate on his enigmatic remarks following Chelsea's victory over Everton, but he affirmed his dedication to the club. The Blues secured a 2-0 win, ending a streak of three
Premier League games without a victory and four matches across all competitions. This win propelled Chelsea to fourth place in the standings, eight points behind Arsenal.
Despite the triumph, Maresca expressed that the last two days were the most challenging since joining Chelsea due to a lack of support from some quarters. When asked about these comments before their EFL Cup quarter-final against Cardiff City, Maresca stated that fans did not require further explanation. "I already spoke about that, and I don't have nothing to add," he mentioned during Monday's pre-match press conference.
Maresca emphasised his commitment to Chelsea and his happiness as head coach. He added, "Absolutely, yes," when questioned about his contentment in the role. Chelsea has won the EFL Cup five times, with their last triumph in 2014-15. They have reached three finals since then and are among the favourites this year.
The Opta supercomputer predicts Chelsea has a 16% chance of winning the competition. Arsenal leads with a 35% likelihood, followed by Manchester City at 23%. To reach the final eight, Maresca's team defeated Lincoln City and Wolves, with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Wolves.
Chelsea is set to face League One leaders Cardiff City next. Maresca cautioned against underestimating Brian Barry-Murphy's side. "They are top of the league, they are playing nice football and winning games," he noted. He stressed the importance of focus as these matches can be unpredictable.
Maresca highlighted that winning the EFL Cup is significant for both the club and its supporters. "It's something we want to achieve also for the fans," he said. He acknowledged Chelsea's history of success in major competitions like the Premier League and Champions League.
Team Updates
Maresca confirmed that Cole Palmer would be unavailable for selection as they manage his recovery from injury carefully. The Italian coach remains focused on reaching another semi-final within 18 months of his tenure at Chelsea.
In closing, Maresca reiterated his appreciation for Chelsea supporters: "I love [the] Chelsea support. They deserve the best. " His focus remains firmly on achieving success in upcoming matches while respecting differing opinions around him.
