Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez has sent shockwaves through the club by admitting that Enzo Maresca‘s departure “hurt” the players deeply, while hinting at frustration with the board’s decision-making process under the ownership.
The Argentine vice-captain, who wore the armband during Chelsea’s recent heavy Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain (reported as 8-2 in some accounts), spoke candidly for the first time about Maresca’s exit in interviews with Argentinian media, including journalist Juan Pablo Sorin and ESPN Argentina.
Maresca left Stamford Bridge at the start of 2026, following a 2-2 Premier League draw with Bournemouth—the club’s final match of 2025—amid links to the Manchester City job as a potential successor to Pep Guardiola. He was later replaced by Liam Rosenior, who joined on a long-term contract until 2032.
When asked about events before, during, and after Maresca’s departure, Fernandez said: “I don’t understand it [what happened]. Sometimes as a player, there’s things we don’t understand and the way they try to manage things. I don’t have an answer for you because I don’t know.
“Obviously, it was a departure that hurt a lot because we had a lot of identity, he gave us order but it’s the way that football is, sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad.
“But we always had a clear identity when it came to training, playing and obviously his departure hurt us especially in the middle of the season – it cuts everything short.”
The comments appear to criticise the decision to part ways with Maresca mid-season, with fans interpreting them as indirect jabs at the current regime and Rosenior. Supporters reacted strongly online, with one saying: “Seems like jabs at Rosenior, Chelsea are so finished man.” Another added: “Why would he even say this as a vice captain under a new manager?” A third commented: “This is surely one small step closer to his exit. Really really sad to see.”
In the same interviews following the PSG loss, Fernandez also cast doubt on his own long-term future at Chelsea. Speaking to ESPN Argentina, he said: “I don’t know, there are eight games left and the FA Cup. There’s the World Cup and then we’ll see.”
The 25-year-old’s remarks come amid ongoing speculation about his commitment, especially after changing agents recently, and raise questions about stability at the club following the managerial change approved by the owners.