Chelsea
Chelsea squad respond on social media after Enzo Maresca’s surprise exit
Players and staff offered messages on social media after Maresca’s unexpected departure from Chelsea.
Chelsea’s playing group responded quickly on social media after the club announced Enzo Maresca’s unexpected departure. The news caught supporters and players alike by surprise, and a string of public messages underlined the immediate reaction inside the squad.
Left back Marc Cucurella, one of Maresca’s most consistent performers, posted first. “Thank you for everything, mister, and to your staff,” he wrote on X . “For the work and the trust from day one, and for the memories!
“Wishing you all the best in what comes next. Good luck, boss!”
Club captain Reece James shared a photo from the Club World Cup celebrations with the simple caption: “Thank you, mister.” Midfielder Moisés Caicedo offered a similar brief message: “Thank you for everything, mister.”
Enzo Fernández supplied a lengthier tribute. “Mister, thank you for everything we shared and experienced during this stage,” he wrote. “I learned a lot and truly value every piece of advice and each experience. I wish you and your coaching staff—Willy, Dani, Robi, Marcos, and Mickey—all the best.
“We won two titles together that I will never forget. Much success to all of you, and hopefully our paths will cross again in the future. A big hug.”
Pedro Neto thanked Maresca and his staff. “Thank you for everything you and your staff have done,” began Pedro Neto’s farewell. “For all the memories, achievements and trust.
“I wish you all the best.” Backup goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen wrote: “Thank you, mister & all the staff. Always grateful for everything you have taught me and the things we have achieved together. All the best in the future.”
Centre back Levi Colwill reflected: “Not just a top manager but also a top person,” Colwill reflected. “Thank you for everything. It was a pleasure to work with you and create great memories.” Colwill was a key player before suffering an ACL injury during the summer, and frustration over the board’s refusal to sign a replacement is thought to have contributed to Maresca’s departure.
Trevoh Chalobah, who became a regular starter after the club did not sign another defender, wrote: “Thank you so much for everything, coach,” the academy graduate penned. “Your belief in me and your constant encouragement meant the world.
“I truly appreciate all you’ve done to help us grow. Wishing you nothing but the best for your future.”
Starting goalkeeper Robert Sánchez added: “Thank you for everything Enzo, Mickey, Willy, Dani, Marcos and Robi,” he said. “Very grateful for the trust and the memories we shared, those will live with me forever. Wishing you all the best for the future, will miss you all.”
There was also a reaction from academy coach and club legend John Terry on TikTok. Terry noted he was “completely shocked” and, addressing speculation, said he had been inundated with calls. “The manager, Enzo Maresca, has just been sacked by Chelsea ,” he said. “And to be honest, I’m completely shocked by it, I didn’t see it coming.
“I know things of late haven’t been how we would have liked. You can clearly see or hear or listen to the manager’s press conference to know there’s been tensions.
“I’ve had so many phone calls this morning after the news. Everyone expects me to know what’s happening. I haven’t got a clue what’s happening. I’m not involved in the first team; I’m in the academy side. I don’t know, but just my opinion from afar.
“There’s clearly tensions, from the manager and the owners, hence why they’ve come to this agreement or decision. It’s a big shock.
“Rewind three, four weeks ago, we were playing so well against Barcelona. The performance against Arsenal, how good it was. Fast forward four weeks to recent form, and recent performances clearly haven’t been good enough.
“Whoever comes in, it’s happened in the past, and we’ve managed to adapt and deal with it. And as players, you have to get on with it. And unfortunately, this is part of the process. So the players have to now step up and deal with it.”
Chelsea
Man City Make Contact Over Pedro Neto as Maresca Weighs Wide Options
City are in contact over Neto, but Chelsea’s price and Savinho’s future may decide the outcome.
Manchester City have reportedly opened talks with the camp of Chelsea winger Pedro Neto about a possible return to working with Enzo Maresca.
According to Fabrizio Romano, City are already in “direct contact” with the player’s representatives as they explore a summer move to the Etihad Stadium. The situation is not straightforward, though, and several factors could shape whether any deal progresses.
One key issue is Savinho. Romano has also named Tottenham Hotspur as admirers of Neto, and any departure for the City winger could sharpen Maresca’s interest in strengthening his wide areas. Chelsea’s asking price will also matter, with the London club not actively seeking a sale and likely expecting a strong offer after signing Neto only two summers ago.
Chelsea’s squad depth means the winger is not indispensable in west London. The club has added heavily to its attacking ranks, even after the recent departures of Alejandro Garnacho to Aston Villa and Tyrique George to Everton. Morgan Rogers has arrived for a record-breaking fee, while Geovany Quenda has also joined from Sporting CP. That group sits alongside Estêvão, Jamie Gittens, Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk, who recently returned after his doping ban was lifted.
Even so, Neto’s value is clear. Only Enzo Fernández created more chances than his 53 last season in the Premier League, and no Chelsea player bettered his 12 big chances created. His pace also gives him a directness that can trouble deep defensive blocks.
Xabi Alonso will want a closer look before any final decision is made, especially as Neto made a late return to preseason after his World Cup involvement with Portugal and is yet to play under Chelsea’s new manager.
City, too, have options on the flanks. Jérémy Doku delivered the best season of his City career in 2025-26, Antoine Semenyo made an immediate impact after arriving mid-season, and Omar Marmoush, Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden have all been used wide in recent campaigns. Jeremy Monga, still only 17, offers further cover. Even so, if Savinho were to depart, Maresca would be left with fewer natural wingers than he would ideally want.
Chelsea
Chelsea’s transfer balancing act: who could leave from Alonso’s available list
Chelsea are weighing up exits as Alonso reshapes a crowded squad and sets new priorities.
Xabi Alonso has already made one theme central to his first transfer window at Chelsea: balance. That word has framed the way he views a squad that still contains certain untouchables, but also a notable group of players who have been left off the club’s protected list.
That does not mean Chelsea are forcing anyone out. It means those players have been placed on the market at agreed prices, with The Athletic reporting that the total value of talent available could reach $600 million (£445 million). In a squad as crowded as this one, the question is not whether moves are possible, but which departures make the most sense.
Axel Disasi is among the clearest examples. He has not played a competitive match for Chelsea since January 2025 and has spent the last 18 months on loan in claret and blue. A return to West Ham United on a permanent basis could be available, although Chelsea’s asking price may prove difficult to meet. Even so, any fee approaching half of the $52 million they paid Monaco would represent a strong return.
Marc Guiu also looks like a player the club could be prepared to cash in on, while Benoît Badiashile appears to have reached the point where a sale would suit both sides. If Napoli were to offer more than $40 million for the defender, Chelsea would likely take notice.
Liam Delap’s situation is different. He started poorly and never quite recovered, but there is still interest from several Premier League clubs. Chelsea do not have the room to keep him in a forward line that is already crowded, especially without European football. A loan or a sale with a buy-back clause would protect the club’s position.
Nicolas Jackson remains harder to dismiss. His goal contribution rate and underlying numbers still point to a striker who consistently finds good positions, even if his finishing and discipline remain issues.
Malo Gusto and Pedro Neto are also under review. Chelsea would consider strong offers for both, particularly if a system is chosen that reduces Neto’s natural role. For now, the club’s challenge is to trim the squad without weakening it too far.
Aston Villa
Garnacho’s social post after Aston Villa debut raises eyebrows over Chelsea exit
Garnacho marked his Aston Villa debut with an Instagram post that many read as a Chelsea dig.
Alejandro Garnacho’s first outing for Aston Villa quickly became a talking point after the winger appeared to aim a subtle message at Chelsea on social media.
Garnacho featured in Aston Villa’s 3-1 win over the Indonesia All-Stars as Unai Emery’s side opened their preseason schedule. It was his debut for the club, and he used Instagram afterwards to reflect on the occasion with a line many interpreted as a pointed reference to his former team.
“First start in three months,” Garnacho wrote on Instagram. “Happy to be enjoying football again, 1% every day. Thanks Indonesia!”
The post followed a season in which he did not start any of Chelsea’s final five Premier League matches and scored only once in the league, making his departure unsurprising. But it also fit a pattern that has followed the winger through previous moves.
Garnacho had already left Manchester United after admitting he had started to do “some bad things” towards the end of his time at Old Trafford. He also drew attention in February when, ahead of Chelsea’s Carabao Cup semifinal against Arsenal, he said, “Everyone knows how hard it is to play there. If, for example, Manchester United can beat them there, we can do it perfectly.” Chelsea then lost 1-0, and Garnacho was mocked on social media by United supporters.
Later, after Chelsea lost 1-0 to Manchester United in the Premier League, Luke Shaw posted a picture of himself knocking Garnacho to the floor. Other United players commented beneath it, adding to the sense that relations had deteriorated.
Garnacho has often generated headlines when leaving clubs, and this latest message after his Aston Villa debut will only add to that reputation. Yet the bigger issue now is his output on the pitch. United once viewed him as a major talent after his breakthrough in the 2022-23 season, but this stage of his career may depend on whether he can make the right kind of impact in 2026/27.
