"Show the Desire to Bring Chelsea Back"—Enzo Maresca Sends Strong Message to Chelsea Players Ahead of Crucial Clash with Manchester United

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has called on his players to take responsibility and show greater determination, as the club faces a crucial end to the Premier League season with Champions League qualification still in reach.

The Blues suffered a damaging 2-0 defeat at Newcastle United on Sunday, a result that severely dented their top-four hopes. A first-half red card to Nicolas Jackson only added to their struggles, and Maresca admitted the young striker must learn from the mistake going forward.

“It’s a tough one,” Maresca said after the match. “These are the moments where we need discipline and focus. Jackson needs to learn from this.”

That loss has left Chelsea with a mountain to climb. With just two matches remaining, they now need back-to-back wins to secure a top-four finish and avoid relying on results elsewhere.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher weighed in on Chelsea’s situation, warning that the club faces “a big problem” and stressing that the pressure is now fully on Maresca’s side to deliver.

Chelsea welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge tonight in what could be a season-defining encounter. A defeat would all but end their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

The message from Maresca ahead of the clash was clear: it’s no longer just about tactics – it’s about attitude, fight, and leadership.

“There are some games, like now – the one or two, three games we have – that tactics are important,” Maresca said.
“But it’s also other aspects. That is players taking responsibility and also showing desire to bring this club – we said many times – where it has to be.”

Maresca has seen flashes of potential in his team this season but admits consistency has been lacking. And now, in the final days of the campaign, he wants to see character from his squad.

After tonight’s clash with United, Chelsea will round off their league season against Nottingham Forest – another team still in the race for European football. With so much at stake, Maresca’s men must find a way to bounce back and finish strong.

The defeat at St James’ Park was a wake-up call, and now all eyes will be on how Chelsea respond. For a club of their stature, missing out on Champions League football again would be a significant blow.

But Maresca believes that with the right mindset, his team can still end the season on a high.

“We’ve said it many times – Chelsea belongs at the top,” Maresca added. “It’s up to us to prove it now.”

Victory tonight could not only revive Chelsea’s Champions League hopes but also lift the mood around Stamford Bridge after a frustrating campaign. The stakes couldn’t be higher – and the Blues must rise to the occasion.