Enzo Maresca Gave Chelsea Players a Get Out of Jail Free Card” – Ian Wright Blames Chelsea Manager for Team’s Poor Form

Ian Wright believes Enzo Maresca’s comments about Chelsea not being in the title race have negatively affected the team, allowing players to drop their performance levels.

Arsenal icon Ian Wright has taken aim at Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca for openly downplaying the team’s chances in the Premier League title race. Wright feels that Maresca’s remarks may have influenced the players’ mindset, providing them with an excuse to perform below expectations.

Chelsea had been in a strong position earlier in the campaign, trailing league leaders Liverpool by only two points before Christmas. However, their form has dipped significantly, and they now sit 13 points behind the top team in sixth place. With just six points collected from their last seven games, their title ambitions have quickly faded.

Ian Wright voiced his frustration with Maresca’s comments on his Wrighty’s House podcast, stating that instead of making such statements in public, the Chelsea manager should have addressed them privately within the dressing room.

Wright insisted that legendary managers such as Arsene Wenger and George Graham would never publicly suggest their team was out of the title race. Instead, they would always maintain a positive approach to keep their squad motivated.

“He didn’t need to say that. He could have just said it in the dressing room. George Graham wouldn’t say anything that made you think that way, and Arsene Wenger was always very positive. When I heard it, I thought it’s almost like giving the players a ‘get out of jail free’ card if they start playing badly.”

Wright believes Chelsea’s struggles may be connected to a shift in mentality among the players.

“At some stage, there was going to be some form of drop-off, but by saying that, he gave them an excuse. He should have just said it’s brilliant, we’re ahead of schedule, and we’ll see where we are. That’s what you do.”

The former Arsenal striker also brought up Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo as an example of someone who would never make similar remarks.

“Nuno would never say something like that about Forest… just play. It gets into the players’ heads and gives them an easy way out. I’m not saying Chelsea would have won the title, but I would like to think they wouldn’t have gone on a run like this after doing so well.”

Chelsea had been playing with confidence earlier in the season, and Wright admitted that he was impressed by their performances.

“They were playing so well and looking so dangerous. I remember sending messages saying Chelsea scare me, Chelsea are dangerous. Why would you throw that [comment] into the mix?”

With their recent slump, Chelsea now faces a tough challenge to secure a top-four finish. Instead of competing for the title, they may now have to settle for a Europa League place if their form does not improve soon.

“If Chelsea get Champions League, magnificent. But now, with the way things are going, they might be looking at the Europa League.”

It is possible that Maresca’s remarks unintentionally contributed to Chelsea’s downturn. The team must now find a way to recover and regain the momentum they had earlier in the season. Their ability to bounce back in the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether they can secure a Champions League spot.