“Small coach mentality” – Fans react as Enzo Maresca bizarrely INSISTS Chelsea management haven’t demanded top four finish in Premier League 

Fans slammed Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca for stating the club's intentions of not finishing in the top four in the Premier League, this season.

“Small coach mentality” – Fans react as Enzo Maresca bizarrely INSISTS Chelsea management haven’t demanded top four finish in Premier League 

Enzo Maresca was slammed by fans for stating that Chelsea would not be vying for a top-four finish, this season. (via Chelsea.com)

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca surprised fans by highlighting the club’s goals for the ongoing 2024-25 season. The 44-year-old manager, who joined the club this summer, revealed that the Blues management did not ask for a top-four finish in the Premier League.

The Blues have enjoyed a decent start to the 2024-25 Premier League campaign, despite losing their opening match to Manchester City. However, the club learned from its mistakes and has gone on to win three out of its next four matches, which includes wins against Wolves, Bournemouth and West Ham. The Blues scored six goals past Wolverhampton, with Noni Madueke scoring a hat-trick, as the team showed off an attractive and attacking brand of football under new manager Enzo Maresca. 

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The former Leicester City manager, however, in a recent interview, stated that the team was unwilling to set any specific targets this season. He also exclaimed that the Blues management did not pressurize him to compete for the Premier League title or a UCL spot. He added his intention to focus on team building and improving the player’s performances, for the future. Despite the club’s massive billion-dollar investment, Maresca surprisingly kept Chelsea out of the top-four race.

FS Video
I said already, nobody, not the owners nor the sporting directors, have mentioned that I have to finish in the top four...
Enzo Maresca to reporters (via BBC)

Having taken over from Mauricio Pochettino this summer, Maresca is Chelsea’s sixth manager over the past six years, and the expectations surrounding the Italian are high. He will at least be hoping to better the Blues’ previous EPL finishes, in the 12th and 6th positions.

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Fans slam Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca for insisting that the club would not be competing for a top-four finish

Blues fans ridiculed Enzo Maresca for insisting that the club would not be vying for a top-four finish this season and that he is under no such pressure. The Italian manager, however, identified his dream for Chelsea to compete with teams, dominating in England. 

Chelsea Enzo Maresca
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has been tipped to achieve success with the club. (via Chelsea Chronicle)

A few fans compared Maresca’s mentality to that of a small-time manager, while some others emphasized the importance of setting a target for the team.

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A few also exclaimed that with this view, Chelsea would be nearing its end. However, a few Blues fans backed the manager for his approach of taking small steps, one at a time. Here are some of the reactions:

Meanwhile, the club will next be facing EFL League Two side Barrow AFC in the Carabao Cup. Chelsea’s last major trophy came under manager Thomas Tuchel, who guided the club to Champions League glory in 2020-21.