‘I would not have sacked Enzo Maresca’ – Marc Cucurella criticises Chelsea management, signings

Marc Cucurella has launched an unprecedented public critique of Chelsea’s hierarchy, declaring that the club’s decision to dismiss Enzo Maresca mid-season was a mistake and warning that a transfer policy built solely on emerging talent risks derailing the squad’s ambitions.

Speaking to The Athletic while on international duty with Spain, the 27-year-old left-back argued that the abrupt managerial change has bred instability just as the team was beginning to internalise Maresca’s methods after 18 months of shared work. “With Maresca in charge we were more stable,” Cucurella said. “In our last months with him we played almost by heart. If we changed the system, we knew what we had to do. You need that time.”

Cucurella, who admitted he would find it hard to reject Barcelona if they came calling, stressed that continuity is imperative at the elite level, citing Arsenal’s long-term project under Mikel Arteta as proof that patience can yield results. “Look at Arsenal now, who are fighting for every trophy. They’ve been with Arteta for almost seven years and they have not won much. But that trust in the project gives rewards,” he noted.

The defender reserved equal criticism for Chelsea’s recruitment strategy, which has prioritised high-priced teenagers over seasoned campaigners. “I understand this is part of the club’s policy, and that they want to take this direction—signing young players and looking to the future,” he conceded. “But, for all of us who are still here and want to win big things, moments like this make you feel discouraged.”

Cucurella believes the squad’s core is strong enough to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League, yet lacks the battle-hardened presence required in decisive knockout moments. “Against PSG we lacked players that had gone through situations like that,” he recalled, urging the board to “find the balance between both worlds.”

Interim manager Liam Rosenior came in for gentler treatment, with Cucurella praising his interpersonal skills and tactical concepts. Nevertheless, the Spaniard highlighted a calendar so congested that on-field rehearsals are virtually impossible. “We train on competitive games because we play every three days and that leaves you with no time to work on the training ground,” he explained, adding that constant fixtures leave Rosenior’s ideas underdeveloped.

Cucurella’s remarks echo the reported dissatisfaction of teammate Enzo Fernandez, who recently hinted at a desire to experience life in Madrid. Taken together, the misgivings of two senior figures underline a growing unease inside the dressing room as Chelsea scrap with Manchester United, Aston Villa and Liverpool for next season’s Champions League places.

Concluding his assessment, Cucurella left little doubt about where he believes responsibility lies for the club’s current turbulence. “The instability around the club comes from this, in a nutshell,” he said, referencing the managerial upheaval. “If you asked me, I would not have made this decision.”

Chelsea’s ownership now face the dual challenge of arresting a slide in form while convincing established players that the long-term project still offers tangible silverware rather than serving solely as a finishing school for tomorrow’s stars.