Enzo Maresca says he is happy at the club after the Cardiff match

Last night, Chelsea faced Cardiff City in the EFL Cup quarter-final. Although Maresca did not field his strongest lineup, Chelsea still secured a 3-1 victory, booking a place in the semi-finals. After the match, the Italian coach spoke positively about the current situation at the club.

He said: “I have said many times in press conferences that the support has always been there. Of course, any supporters in the world are not happy when you don’t win. In some moments, when results are not good, they are unhappy, but that’s normal. Overall, the fans have always been there.”

Maresca added: “These are the kinds of games that make me fall even more in love with the players, because you cannot imagine how easy it is to slip or lose focus. These games are very tricky.”

Last week, the coach revealed that he had gone through what he described as “the worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn’t support me and the team.” Following those comments, rumors emerged suggesting that Chelsea’s owners were considering sacking him or looking for a replacement. Maresca denied those claims and refused to answer further questions at the time. However, the tension appears to have eased.

Speaking again about fan support, Maresca said: “Tonight, the focus has to be on reaching the semi-final. The support from the fans has always been there. We are going in the right direction. Everything I do is because I want the best for everyone - the fans, the players, everyone.”

The two victories against Everton and Cardiff were crucial for Chelsea as they look to stay in the race for the top three. The Blues are currently fourth in the Premier League with 28 points, just two points ahead of the teams outside the top eight. This week, Chelsea travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle, a match they must win to maintain their position.