Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca unleashed a fiery response to critics after guiding his young squad to a Champions League qualification with a crucial 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest on the Premier Leagueβs final day.
With Levi Colwill scoring the decisive goal and Aston Villa falling to Manchester United, Chelsea climbed into the top four, completing a dramatic turnaround to what had been a turbulent season.
> βThey said we were too young, not good enough, and couldn’t win this kind of game,β Maresca said before blasting: βSo in English, how you say? F off to all of them.β
The Italian manager, who has endured sharp criticism since taking over at Stamford Bridge, stood tall in the aftermath of Chelseaβs triumph, praising the mentality of his squad:
> βTheyβre good boys. They work hard and have improved so much. Iβm proud to be a part of it.β
With one more chance for silverware in the Conference League final against Real Betis, Maresca could end his debut season with both Champions League qualification and a European trophy β a feat that seemed unlikely just weeks ago.
Captain Reece James mirrored his managerβs defiance:
> βNo one believed in us. But weβre here. The seasonβs been tough, but we stuck together. Now weβve got one more final to win.β
The storm of negativity has now been replaced by optimism, belief, and the sense that Marescaβs Chelsea may just be at the dawn of something special.
Eyes now turn to the final in Europe β and a summer transfer window that could transform Chelsea
into title contenders.
