CHELSEA fans continue to be left gobsmacked by Enzo Maresca’s savagery following his scathing criticism of Mykhailo Mudryk.
The former Leicester City manager hasn’t minced his words since replacing Maurico Pochettino at the Stamford Bridge helm.
REXEnzo Maresca has been nothing but ruthless since becoming Chelsea manager[/caption]
RexThe Italian publicly criticised Mykhailo Mudryk after his display against FV Servette[/caption]
GETTYBlues fans have been left stunned by Maresca’s savage approach to management[/caption]
Maresca has publicly told England internationals Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling that they’re surplus to requirements and that they should leave if they want to play first-team football this season.
The Italian is in the process of trimming down Chelsea‘s massive squad to help balance the books at the Bridge.
And £89million man Mudryk, who was at his inconsistent best in the first leg of Blues’ Europa Conference League qualifier against Servette FC on Thursday night, is seemingly in the firing line.
Maresca said of the Ukrainian’s display against the Swiss side: “I think this is Mudryk, in terms of not only tonight, but in terms of since he joined the club.
“I think he had some good moments and then some moments like flipping a coin.
“You don’t know if it’s one thing or the other thing.
“If he can become more consistent, he can take one step forward.
“We are going to try and help him change.
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Maresca’s Ruthlessness Is Nothing New
By Graeme Bryce
NOBODY at Leicester was surprised at Enzo Maresca’s shock Chelsea cull.
The new Blues boss has brutally dumped England internationals Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell and told them: Find another club.
But the Italian, 44, was just as ruthless at the Foxes during last season’s storming run to Championship glory.
He may not have assembled a massive Chelsea-style ‘Bomb Squad’ during his time at the King Power as the Foxes simply do not have the same ridiculous wealth of resources.
But there were one or two high-profile casualties at the start of Maresca’s single season in charge. Danish left-back Victor Kristiansen was banished to Bologna when he did not buy into his boss’ ideas.
Maresca wanted the 5ft 11in full-back to become a third centre-back when the Foxes were in possession — but Kristiansen saw himself on the front foot, flying down the left flank.
Harry Souttar was a high-profile signing at centre-half but Maresca did not fancy the Australian World Cup star and only gave him one Championship start all season.
Maresca was famously prickly when it came to anyone questioning his tactics.
Brendan Rodgers’ high-pressing game was binned and Pep Guardiola’s former No 2 made it clear he was a disciple of a much more measured possession-based style.
All was well when Leicester got off to a flying start.
But midway through the gruelling campaign there were grumbles from fans, bored rigid by their team’s patient, methodical approach.
It came to a head in January’s 3-1 win over Swansea.
Leicester were 1-0 up at half-time but there were groans from the crowd about the slow nature of the football.
Afterwards, moody Maresca bleated to reporters: “As soon as my ideas are doubted, I will leave.”
When asked to clarify if he was referring to the owner and board, the club’s PR department made it clear the barb was aimed at the paying punters in the stands.
The first sign of friction between the coach and Leicester’s Thai owners appeared during that month’s transfer window.
Maresca hoped to freshen up his squad — in particular, landing Inter Milan midfielder Stefano Sensi.
But he was told he could not sign anyone until players were sold — and then the Sensi deal collapsed shortly before the window shut.
Maresca bit his tongue and led the Foxes to the title.
Then, after securing the Championship title with a win over Preston, he let rip within minutes of the whistle.
Referring to Leicester’s transfer policy and financial situation, he moaned: “I need to sit down with the club and talk through the issues.”
The gloves were off and Maresca hinted he could be too.
In the final run-in, he was quizzed about the future of stars like Jamie Vardy, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho.
He replied: “It’s impossible to say, I don’t even know if I’ll be here.”
Leicester treated their squad to an end-of-season break in Monte Carlo and the owners sat down with Maresca, believing everything was sorted.
A fortnight later, he was boss of Chelsea.
“When he is in the last third it is about taking the right decision.
“For me, most of the mistakes from Misha is not about the quality or the technical mistake, it’s about the choice.”
Footage of Maresca’s brutal assessment of the 23-year-old after his side’s 2-0 win went viral and received a slew of comments on social media.
One fan wrote on X: “This guy is literally going to last months.
“How many of his own players is he throwing under the bus?”
Another said: “This guy is ready to throw anyone under the bus.”
And another said: “Unbelievable.”
One remarked: “This guy should be protecting his players.
“He is going to lose the dressing room in a few weeks.”
Another chimed in: “Hanging the lad out to dry. He hasn’t been great but this won’t help at all, especially for selling him lol.
“Doesn’t he have like an 85-year contract?”
Chelsea will be back in action on Sunday afternoon, travelling to Molineux to take on Wolves.