"We were all upset" - Pedro Neto reveals Chelsea squad reaction to Maresca sacking

Pedro Neto has revealed that the Chelsea team were ‘upset’ when they heard of Enzo Maresca’s departure.

It was a mixed feeling among all Chelsea supporters worldwide when the news of Maresca’s departure from his role as head coach broke out on New Year’s Day. The decision from the Blues hierarchy ended Maresca’s 18-month spell at Stamford Bridge amid a run of one win in seven Premier League games that left the club fifth in the table.

Speaking to Sky Sports in an interview, Neto revealed how the dressing room reacted upon hearing the news, saying:

“After the game [against Bournemouth], of course we wanted to win. Of course, we didn’t have the idea, but we were all upset. And when I heard the news, to be honest, in the beginning, I was a little bit surprised because the manager did very good for us. He did an unbelievable season last year. He was doing a good season this year.

He added:

“Of course, we wanted to do better, and we always want to do better. But this is football, you know? Of course, for me, I would be a little bit sad because it was the manager who helped me a lot in these years. He managed myself. He helped me a lot. I learned a lot with him. On personal terms, he was unbelievable as well. So, the only thing I can say is ‘thank you’ but it’s football, and we have to go through it and go to the next game already, thinking about us as a team and try to win it.”

Maresca took charge of Chelsea in the summer of 2024 and led the team to success in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup during his time at the club.

Pedro Neto admits inconsistency within the current Chelsea squad

In the same interview, Neto gave a candid assessment of the current Chelsea squad, stating that inconsistency has been a defining issue for the team. He also highlighted the factors that have contributed to it, arguing that the team lacks the experience of playing two elite-level competitions (the Premier League and the Champions League) at the same time.

When asked about the dynamics in the dressing room, the Portuguese winger responded:

“Of course, it’s always fun because like I say, I am 25 and most of them are younger than me. The environment is unbelievable because it’s a young group with a young mentality as well. The mentality of winning is what makes the difference last year and I hope that makes the difference this year as well because we always want to win. We always want more and I think in football, there is no age. We have a lot of players with the young quality that can prove that they can play at the highest level. “I think we are missing a little bit maybe of consistency because as a young group, some guys never had the experience of playing Champions League and Premier League at the same time. It’s been challenging to be honest but a good challenge.”

Neto joined the Chelsea from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2024. To date, he has registered 27 goal contributions for the West London club in 77 appearances across competitions.

Edited by Ezekiel Olamide