Enzo Maresca reacts as St. Mary’s Stadium brings out new chant for manager in 5-1 win

Enzo Maresca enjoyed fans chanting his name as Chelsea tamed Southampton in an entertaining goal fest at the St. Mary's Stadium.

Enzo Maresca, image courtesy: X

Chelsea continued their fine form in the ongoing Premier League season as they thumped Southampton in their midweek clash by 5-1. With this win, the Blues leapfrogged the Gunners and Manchester City into the second spot of the Premier League points tally. Additionally, they sit seven points adrift of leaders Liverpool. While the Blues dismantled the Saints in the latter’s backyard, the Chelsea fans sang chants in the name of their new boss, Enzo Maresca.

Lionizing the Italian preceptor, the fans chanted Maresca’s name at the top of their voice, savouring the attacking ethos that has been instilled in the Blues since the start of the season. Speaking in the post-match presser, Enzo Maresca expressed his gratitude and also revealed the joyous feeling that disseminated through the camp after their stunning win.

It was a very good feeling. You can see they are happy, that is our target, we work every day to keep them happy. Tonight was a very good feeling. They can see Chelsea is back and this is an important thing. It was a good game from all of them. Sometimes you have to adapt when you play 10 players, you can slow the game and keep the ball, but we created so many chances.
Enzo Maresca said in the post-match press conference

It all started with a strike from Axel Disasi, who put Chelsea ahead in the 7^th minute. However, the joy was short-lived for the Blues as Joe Aribo found the equalizer for Southampton within just four minutes of falling behind.

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Christopher Nkunku restored Chelsea’s lead in the 17^th minute, and from there on, it was a full-blown assault on the Saints. Noni Madueke found the back of the net in the 34^th minute, while Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho’s second-half strikes got the job done for the Blues.

Enzo Maresca believes that Noni Madueke needs to do ‘more’

Despite finding a goal in Chelsea’s victory against Southampton, Noni Madueke came under the scanner of Enzo Maresca. English international Madueke had scored just once since August before he could find his rhythm back against the Saints, where he scored a brilliantly angled finish and also carved a fine assist. However, Maresca was definitely not happy and wanted a lot more from the youngster.

He said during the press conference that Madueke is capable of doing far better. Maresca was concerned that the moment he starts scoring, complacency kicks in, and that is what results in his decline. He also clarified that the reason for his exclusion from the Chelsea side for so many days ahead of the Southampton fixture is because the boss didn’t like his intensity in practice. Chelsea will be back in action in the Premier League with their weekend clash against Tottenham Hotspur.