Enzo Maresca’s unprompted comments after Chelsea’s win over Everton have focused attention on the club’s internal arrangements and the relationship between the manager and those above him. What began as a routine press conference turned into a public airing of frustration that club officials now describe as an “emotional reaction.”

On the back of the Everton victory Maresca said, “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.” He later added, “I love the fans and we are very happy with the fans,” and in a follow-up said, “I said after the game that I love the Chelsea supporters, they deserve the best, and again, I don’t have nothing to add.”

The manager also pushed back when asked if his remarks were aimed at the club hierarchy, telling reporters, “I was quite clear.” Observers have noted Maresca’s demeanour suggested his grievances were not with supporters or the media, leaving the focus on those in the sporting structure above him.

Chelsea’s decision-making is widely understood to be driven by owners and sporting directors in the BlueCo era, and co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart hold significant responsibility. Reporting has suggested Maresca’s frustrations relate to a need to defend tactics and player rotation, and a sense he may not be fully trusted.

Rotation policy, designed to accelerate the development of young players, has coincided with absences for Cole Palmer, Moisés Caicedo and Levi Colwill and exposed weaknesses during a run of poor results, including the 3–1 defeat to Leeds United. That sequence has prompted scrutiny of substitutions and in-game management from both supporters and, reportedly, internally.

Maresca insisted his commitment remains whole, pledging his “100%” to the role and describing himself as happy at Chelsea. The club will nonetheless carry out the planned end-of-season review of his position in the summer, a process used previously after Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure. The manager’s October decision to align with Jorge Mendes has added another element to the situation.

Ultimately Maresca’s public remarks underline tensions between a manager who is visibly passionate and a club structure that operates by committee. As he himself has shown before, he does not shy from expressing his convictions: “You can feel the fans when they’re not happy,” he said in January 2024. “Probably some people, they take some things for granted. But it’s not like this. Twenty-six wins out of 34, it’s something unbelievable. I arrive in this club to play with this idea. The moment there is some doubt about the idea, the day after, I will leave. It’s so clear. No doubts.”

The quarterfinals of the Carabao Cup present a clear pathway to Wembley and a chance for silverware for the leading contenders. Three heavyweights stand out as favourites, while Premier League challengers and a League One side aim to upset the balance.

Cardiff City have a reputation for overperforming in this competition. The Welsh side, who were in the Championship when they reached the 2011–12 final via a favourable run of fixtures, pushed Liverpool to penalties in the showpiece before suffering heartbreak. Now fighting to escape League One, the Carabao Cup has not been a distraction; Swindon Town, Cheltenham, Burnley and Wrexham have all been discarded en route to the last eight. Their reward is a visit from Chelsea.

Chelsea have made life difficult for themselves in cup ties away to Lincoln City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, but Enzo Maresca should name a fairly strong team for the trip to Wales. If the Italian selects even a handful of regular starters, they should conquer Cardiff with little fuss. The Bluebirds will be keen to see a much-changed Chelsea teamsheet on Tuesday, offering hope of a surprise result, but a convincing defeat is the most likely outcome. Prediction: Cardiff 1–3 Chelsea.

Manchester City arrive brimming with confidence and represent a stern test for Brentford. Pep Guardiola’s men have claimed victory in five successive matches and, after their 2–1 win over Real Madrid, they breezed past Crystal Palace on the road last weekend. City have won the trophy four times under Guardiola and dominated the competition between 2018 and 2021, though they have not progressed beyond the last eight since. Brentford possess attacking options in Igor Thiago, Kevin Schade and Dango Ouattara, but an alarming away record in the league — seven defeats from eight — undermines their hopes. Prediction: Man City 3–0 Brentford.

Newcastle, who lifted the trophy last season, face Fulham. Eddie Howe’s side beat Fulham 2–1 at St James’ Park this term with Bruno Guimarães’s last-gasp strike in October. Fulham, inspired by Harry Wilson at times, can threaten, but Newcastle should prevail at home. Prediction: Newcastle 2–1 Fulham.

Arsenal host Crystal Palace a week later because Palace are in the Europa Conference League. Palace have enjoyed two days out at Wembley in the past seven months, conquering Man City in the FA Cup final and beating Liverpool in the Community Shield. Arsenal beat Palace 1–0 on home soil earlier this season and, despite Palace’s capacity to defy the odds, the Gunners should reach the semis. Prediction: Arsenal 2–0 Crystal Palace.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca declined to elaborate on recent comments about a perceived lack of support during a press conference held ahead of the Carabao Cup quarterfinal against Cardiff City. Journalists repeatedly asked for clarification but Maresca steered the conversation back to the match and refused to name a target for his earlier remarks.

Asked what he meant by his strong words, Maresca set the tone for the entire press conference. “I already spoke about that and I don’t have nothing to add,” he shrugged. “It’s Cardiff tomorrow, please.”

Reporters pressed him over suggestions that his comments signalled a breakdown with sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart or tensions with co-owner Behdad Eghbali. Maresca did not confirm any of those reports and continued to avoid detail.

“We are in an era where everyone can say what they think,” he said. “I respect people’s opinion, I respect your opinion, but again, I don’t have nothing to add, my focus is just on tomorrow’s game.”

When asked about his command of language and clarity, he replied at length, referencing the languages he speaks before reiterating his position. “I can speak Italian, my language, Spanish very well, French very well, and English more or less,” he continued. “I think when I want to say something, I’m quite clear. I already spoke after the game, I don’t need to add more.

“Italian, Spanish, French, so you all are aware. It’s done, it’s finished. It was after the game, I said what I said after the game. Now it’s focused on Cardiff.”

Reports linking the manager to a possible departure were also dismissed by Maresca, who was unequivocal about his commitment to the role. When asked if he was happy as Chelsea manager and 100% committed to the position, Maresca firmly stressed: “Absolutely, yes.”

The briefing concluded on a lighter note with a routine question about the form of Malo Gusto, the same subject Maresca had used to change the topic following the Everton game.