When Chelsea qualified for the Champions League, Enzo Maresca shouted, “F*** off” to those who had questioned him and his youthful team.
Chelsea overcame their away-day blues to defeat Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground on Sunday, despite just winning once on the road in the Premier League since Christmas and only managing five goals.
For the first time since Thomas Tuchel led them to third place in 2022, the outcome guaranteed a Champions League spot, and Maresca responded with optimism.
“I didn’t have any doubts about the players. The doubt was from outside,” said the head coach, who was taking charge of his first top-flight campaign.
“All the ones that have the answer and the truth, they were saying we were too young, we were not good enough.
“They were waiting for [Aston] Villa to drop points if we wanted to achieve Champions League.
“They were saying we were not able to win on this pitch because we were too young and not experienced.
“Unfortunately for them they are all wrong, all the ones who have the truth and the answer for everything. So in English, I will say ‘eff off’ to all of them.”
After three seasons in charge, Chelsea have returned to Europe’s top table for the first time under the current owners, and Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali were on the pitch to celebrate with the staff and players at full-time.
