Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca sparked controversy following his side’s 2-2 draw against relegation-threatened Ipswich Town at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, appearing to attribute part of the team’s struggles to the atmosphere created by the home fans. The result, which saw Chelsea fight back from a 2-0 deficit, dealt a blow to their hopes of securing a Champions League spot for next season.
The Blues dominated the opening stages but fell behind to a Julio Enciso tap-in on 19 minutes, followed by a Ben Johnson header just past the half-hour mark. Maresca suggested that the fans’ frustration, expressed through boos at half-time, contributed to a “nervous environment” that impacted his players’ confidence, particularly for Ipswich’s second goal. He highlighted a moment when goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, under pressure, abandoned Chelsea’s usual short-passing build-up play to launch a long ball, leadingdirectly to the visitors’ second goal.
“In the moment that we are in a difficult moment, you can expect that [the fans] are not happy,” Maresca said in his post-match press conference. “But probably it’s the moment that the players… need more support. We lost a little bit of confidence because we conceded, probably because of the environment.”
The comments have drawn mixed reactions. Some supporters expressed dismay, with posts on X describing Maresca’s remarks as “bizarre” and accusing him of deflecting blame from tactical and player errors. One fan wrote, “Blaming the fans when we’re 2-0 down to Ipswich at home is a bold move,” reflecting the sentiment of frustration among sections of the fanbase. Others acknowledged the pressure of playing at Stamford Bridge, where expectations remain high after Chelsea’s early-season promise.
Despite the draw, Chelsea showed resilience in the second half. An own goal by Ipswich’s Axel Tuanzebe, forced by Noni Madueke’s dangerous cross just 20 seconds after the restart, sparked the comeback. Jadon Sancho, introduced as a substitute, sealed the equalizer with a stunning strike on 79 minutes. However, missed opportunities, including late saves by Ipswich goalkeeper Alex Palmer to deny Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer, left Chelsea settling for a point.
Maresca also pointed to individual errors, singling out long balls from Fernandez and Sanchez as key mistakes leading to both Ipswich goals. “Both goals we conceded we can defend better,” he noted. “The first goal is from Enzo [Fernandez], long ball, lose the ball, we concede. Second one is a goal-kick, long ball, we concede.”
The result leaves Chelsea precariously placed in the race for a top-five finish, with tougher fixtures against Liverpool and Newcastle United looming. The Blues have now won just five of their last 16 Premier League games, a stark contrast to their title-contending form earlier in the season. Ipswich, meanwhile, remain rooted in the relegation zone, though their spirited performance offered a glimmer of hope despite their slim chances of survival.
Maresca’s remarks come at a delicate time, with Chelsea’s board reportedly monitoring results closely. The Italian, who led Leicester City to Championship promotion last season, has faced scrutiny for inconsistent performances, and his latest comments risk straining his relationship with a fanbase already vocal about their dissatisfaction.