‘F*** off to all of them!’ – Maresca unleashes on Chelsea doubters after sealing UCL return
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has issued a rebuke to critics after guiding his youthful Blues squad back into the UEFA Champions League.
Recall the londoners picked a narrow 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest on the Premier League’s final day to get the job done.
Speaking after the decisive victory at the City Ground, secured by a Levi Colwill goal, Maresca didn’t mince words, lashing out at external sceptics who questioned the team’s readiness throughout the season.
“I didn’t have any doubt about the players,” Maresca said. “The doubt was from outside. All the ones that have the answers or the truth, saying we’re too young or not good enough.
“They were waiting for Villa to drop points. They said we couldn’t win on this pitch. Unfortunately for them, they were all wrong. So, in English, how you say? ‘F*** off’ to all of them.”
The win secured Chelsea a fourth-place finish, comfortably inside the Champions League places, and capped off a turbulent but ultimately successful campaign under the former Leicester boss.
Chelsea’s squad set a new Premier League record for the youngest average age at 24 years and 36 days.
Maresca continued: “City lost here, Arsenal drew here, Liverpool drew here, Chelsea won. It’s not easy. The players showed how good they are. If we didn’t win, you’d all call this season a disaster. But it wasn’t.”
Chelsea next stop will be UEFA Conference League final against Real Betis on Wednesday.
