Chelsea’s troubled season not a failure insists Maresca

AFP | London

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Enzo Maresca insists his first season at Chelsea has not been a failure after criticism of the Italian’s conservative tactics in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

Maresca’s sixth-placed side are in danger of missing out on a top five finish in the Premier League with just five games left.

The Blues have only six wins in their last 17 league games ahead of Saturday’s clash with Everton at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are two points adrift of fifth-placed Newcastle after coming from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 with two late goals.

Maresca barely celebrated the west London derby victory, leaving the Craven Cottage pitch immediately after the final whistle in a move that was interpreted as a response to mounting criticism from frustrated supporters.

The former Leicester manager’s cautious game plans have irked fans, who have jeered Maresca and his players several times this season.

Maresca is adamant he deserves respect for his work at Chelsea, who finished sixth under his predecessor Mauricio Pochettino last term.

“Compared to the last two years, the season is not a failure,” Maresca told reporters yesterday. “How many times in the last two years have Chelsea been in the Champions League places? And this season we have been there almost all season. It’s an improvement or not? It’s already an improvement.”