Enzo Maresca reveals what he really thinks of Chelsea fans in just 14 words

The Italian was asked to explain his claim made after Saturday’s win over Everton that the previous 48 hours had been his worst at Stamford Bridge but shut down multiple questions about whom he was targeting.

Maresca shuts down questions about lack of support

Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final away to Cardiff, he became visibly impatient with requests for him to make sense of remarks that have fuelled intense speculation he was taking aim at the club’s owners and sporting directors.

“I already spoke about that and I don’t have anything to add,” he said.

“It’s Cardiff tomorrow please. I think I was quite clear, no more than that.

“I respect your (the media’s) opinion. I respect people’s opinion. But again I don’t have anything to add. My focus is on tomorrow’s game where we can achieve a third semi-final in 18 months since I joined the club.

“We are in an era where everyone can say what they think. I respect people’s opinion. I don’t have anything to add. My focus is just on tomorrow.”

He also reiterated he was not talking about the club’s fans when he referred to a lack of support, delivering a short and sweet 14-word response to suggestions he had taken issue with the fans.

Asked whether he remained committed to the job, he said: “Absolutely yes.

“I can speak Italian, Spanish very well and French well, and English more or less.

“I think when I want to say something I am quite clear. I already spoke after the game, I don’t need to add more.

“You can try in Italian, Spanish, French so you are all aware. It’s finished. It was after the game. Now it’s focus on Cardiff.”

Cardiff manager Barry-Murphy can't wait for Chelsea clash

Cardiff manager Brian Barry-Murphy is relishing a reunion with Maresca and an attempt to deliver a Carabao Cup shock against Chelsea.

Barry-Murphy is a familiar face for several Chelsea players having worked with Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia and Liam Delap during his time in the Manchester City academy, Robert Sanchez in his role as Rochdale manager, and Facundo Buonanotte when a first-team coach at Leicester last season.

The 47-year-old Irishman also knows Maresca well from his time at City and says the Italian had a “big influence” when he was Pep Guardiola’s assistant during the 2022-23 season.

“He’s always been there for me and I’ve always felt his support,” said Barry-Murphy, who was in charge of City’s Elite Development Squad and Academy from 2021 to 2024.

“He had a big influence on the first-team squad when I was there. I always think with a manager of the calibre of Pep it can be hard to show what he showed.

“But he added bits of information or coaching points that helped the players, and the (fact) they relied on him so much was an insight into what he’s doing now.

“I have full admiration for him, but once you come to the games he’d be fully aware that we all try our best to compete.”