Enzo Maresca’s recent public criticism has left a fresh dilemma at Stamford Bridge after he signalled frustrations aimed away from supporters and declined to confront the media. The exact target of Maresca’s remarks remains unclear, but speculation has focused on those in the club hierarchy, including sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart and possibly co-owner Behdad Eghbali.

The incident escalated quickly and has been compared to Mohamed Salah’s recent decision to call out those in charge at Anfield. Wayne Rooney, speaking on his self-titled BBC podcast, drew a direct parallel between the two episodes.

“For me it was very similar to the Mo Salah situation last week where it was very premeditated,” Rooney told his self-titled BBC podcast. “He knows exactly what he is saying and who he is aiming it at and the board and owners at Chelsea will know it is aimed at them.”

Maresca made his comments after Chelsea ended a run of three underwhelming performances. The general narrative around the club had been negative, though not irreparable, and Chelsea still finished the weekend inside the top four.

Rooney warned that Maresca’s decision to speak out publicly could have consequences for the manager’s relationship with those who employ him. He urged respect for club owners while questioning the wisdom of confronting them in public.

“You’ve got to respect the owners of a football club,” Rooney continued. “They employ you and bring you in, so it’s their way and I feel he’s gone a bit against that.

“It is something that’s clearly happened, whether it’s a disagreement or he feels his job is under pressure and he doesn’t feel it should be because of the two trophies he’s won and the points he’s picked up.

“I don’t feel like he’s a manager that will backtrack. He has got a passion about him and a drive about him. Whether he has heard things, like the club might want him out and he’s been proactive to go on the front foot, you don’t know why he’s done it. It’s very strange.

“I don’t think he’ll get the protection now he’s come out and done what he has done. That will be very difficult for the club to come and protect him, which is a shame.”

Cole Palmer’s return to the scoresheet against Everton brought relief but little celebration. The Chelsea forward ended a 333-day scoring drought, yet he was quick to stress that the performance did not mean he is fully fit.

Palmer has been managing a muscular problem that forced him to miss Chelsea’s final two games of August after an early comeback proved premature. He then spent two-and-a-half months on the sidelines and suffered a fractured toe during that period. Those setbacks have left him short of match sharpness and reliant on careful treatment from the club’s medical staff.

“I wouldn’t say I’m at my best yet. I’m still dealing with an injury,” he told BBC’s Match of the Day this weekend. “Hopefully, it gets better and better but there’s still a bit to go.

“It is getting better. The stuff I’ve been doing with the physios at the club. It’s just a matter of not doing too much too soon. Literally, it’s just a day-by-day thing. Hopefully it gets better.”

Head coach Maresca underlined a cautious approach. When BBC’s interviewer began asking about Palmer featuring in multiple fixtures in a week, the Italian manager interjected: “At this moment, he can’t play.” On the specific question of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Cardiff City, Maresca admitted the forward would “probably not” be risked.

“We said many times with Cole we are a better team,” Maresca added. “Unfortunately he was out for many games for us, but now he’s back and for sure he will help us.”

The player’s international prospects were also mentioned after England manager Thomas Tuchel attended the game at Stamford Bridge. It remains to be seen whether he will be called up this summer after Tuchel had only one camp with Palmer in 2025. Palmer downplayed the speculation, saying: “I’ve not been looking too far ahead to be honest,” and, “I’ve been injured for three months, I just need to get back to full fitness. I know what I can offer when I’m fully fit so hopefully I get there soon.”

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca surprised observers at his post-match press conference after the win over Everton when a routine question about Malo Gusto’s display shifted into a wider complaint about backing for his team.

Asked for his verdict on Gusto, Maresca began with praise before moving to a larger point. “We said many times that Reece [James] and Malo, they are both fullbacks and [against Everton] they were both midfielders,” he began. “So the effort, the open mind, the way they want to learn has been fantastic and this is the reason why I praise the players because with so many problems, they are doing very well after a complicated week.

“Since I joined the club, the last 48 hours have been the worst 48 hours since I joined the club because many people didn’t support us. So I’m very happy for Malo in that moment that the effort from Malo and from the rest show that they are all there and they want to help this club.”

Reporters sought clarification and Maresca reiterated the line: “Worst 48 hours since I joined the club because people didn’t support me and the team.” When pressed on who he meant, he said: “In general. In general.” Given the opportunity to single out fans or media, Maresca added: “I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans,” he responded.

The exchange left an awkward atmosphere and prompted speculation about behind-the-scenes tensions. The narrative around Chelsea in the three games before the Everton victory had been negative, though not unprecedentedly so. The Daily Mail reported a sense of calm from one insider despite the comments.

Maresca and his squad now turn attention to upcoming fixtures. Chelsea face Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup quarterfinal on Tuesday before travelling to Newcastle United on Saturday, where further media scrutiny appears likely.