Stubborn Maresca is “happy” with one player fans are losing their minds over | OneFootball

Chelsea have just come off the pitch after a pretty dire showing against Arsenal at the Emirates, and we were very curious to hear what Enzo Maresca would have to say.

He’s generally pretty positive, and doesn’t like to admit to any failing from his side. But they were really poor today, and he even seemed to apologise to the away fans at full time. Would he admit to some shortcomings on his part? Not really.

“I think we were in the game until the end,” the coach said.

“There was not a big difference in the two games between us. Given the injuries, we fought until the end… We competed well, The game was there. They scored a set-piece, they are masters at that. It is a shame but my feeling is that we are going in the right direction.”

He then desperately tried to point to the players who will return after this fortnight off:

“After the international break, we can have more players back like Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke for the final sprint. We controlled the game, we created some chances. In the second half we were there. Overall, I think we competed very well.”

Maresca refuses to criticise flappy Sanchez

Gabriel Martinelli has a shot after a mistake from Robert Sanchez, who kicked the ball directly to him.

A major issue for the team remains in goal. Robert Sanchez was back between the sticks after being dropped, but he was up to his usual tricks today. He shanked some kicks to the opposition (his trademark move) flapped at crosses and was in no man’s land for the Gunners’ goal. As ever, Maresca was in denial, not only declining chance to admit Sanchez’s mistakes, but actually praising him:

“We are quite happy with both of our keepers and today Robert was good.”

It wouldn’t do much good to criticise the Spaniard, we suppose.