Stunned fans say ‘this guy is ready to throw anyone under the bus’ as Enzo Maresca lays into yet another Chelsea star

By Graeme Bryce

NOBODY at Leicester was surprised at Enzo Maresca’s shock Chelsea cull.

The new Blues boss has brutally dumped England internationals Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell and told them: Find another club.

But the Italian, 44, was just as ruthless at the Foxes during last season’s storming run to Championship glory.

He may not have assembled a massive Chelsea-style ‘Bomb Squad’ during his time at the King Power as the Foxes simply do not have the same ridiculous wealth of resources.

But there were one or two high-profile casualties at the start of Maresca’s single season in charge. Danish left-back Victor Kristiansen was banished to Bologna when he did not buy into his boss’ ideas.

Maresca wanted the 5ft 11in full-back to become a third centre-back when the Foxes were in possession — but Kristiansen saw himself on the front foot, flying down the left flank.

Harry Souttar was a high-profile signing at centre-half but Maresca did not fancy the Australian World Cup star and only gave him one Championship start all season.

Maresca was famously prickly when it came to anyone questioning his tactics.

Brendan Rodgers’ high-pressing game was binned and Pep Guardiola’s former No 2 made it clear he was a disciple of a much more measured possession-based style.

All was well when Leicester got off to a flying start.

But midway through the gruelling campaign there were grumbles from fans, bored rigid by their team’s patient, methodical approach.

It came to a head in January’s 3-1 win over Swansea.

Leicester were 1-0 up at half-time but there were groans from the crowd about the slow nature of the football.

Afterwards, moody Maresca bleated to reporters: “As soon as my ideas are doubted, I will leave.”

When asked to clarify if he was referring to the owner and board, the club’s PR department made it clear the barb was aimed at the paying punters in the stands.

The first sign of friction between the coach and Leicester’s Thai owners appeared during that month’s transfer window.

Maresca hoped to freshen up his squad — in particular, landing Inter Milan midfielder Stefano Sensi.

But he was told he could not sign anyone until players were sold — and then the Sensi deal collapsed shortly before the window shut.

Maresca bit his tongue and led the Foxes to the title.

Then, after securing the Championship title with a win over Preston, he let rip within minutes of the whistle.
Referring to Leicester’s transfer policy and financial situation, he moaned: “I need to sit down with the club and talk through the issues.”

The gloves were off and Maresca hinted he could be too.

In the final run-in, he was quizzed about the future of stars like Jamie Vardy, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho.

He replied: “It’s impossible to say, I don’t even know if I’ll be here.”

Leicester treated their squad to an end-of-season break in Monte Carlo and the owners sat down with Maresca, believing everything was sorted.

A fortnight later, he was boss of Chelsea.