Enzo Maresca enjoyed a successful return to Leicester City, as his Chelsea side secured a hard-fought but well-earned victory.
Marc Cucurella’s second-half goal proved to be the difference, handing Chelsea a 1-0 win over the Foxes in west London.
Ruud van Nistelrooy’s tactical shift to a five-at-the-back formation made Leicester more defensively solid than in their previous outings. They also had a stroke of luck when Mads Hermansen saved a penalty from Cole Palmer.
While Luke Thomas impressed, Victor Kristiansen struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge.
Van Nistelrooy has faced scrutiny during his time in charge, but most of the criticism from Leicester fans has been directed at the club’s ownership, particularly director of football Jon Rudkin. Chants calling for Rudkin’s departure have become common at Leicester matches in recent months.
Enzo Maresca Defends Leicester Owners and Jon Rudkin
Maresca, known for his straightforward approach, shared his thoughts after Chelsea’s victory. He hinted at a potential summer move for goalkeeper Hermansen after being impressed by his performance.
However, when asked about the ongoing criticism of Leicester’s hierarchy, the former Foxes boss was quick to defend Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha and Rudkin.
“I met some of the best people in football at Leicester—the owner and sporting director,” Maresca said.
He expressed his hope that Leicester would secure Premier League survival, adding, “I’m surprised by the criticism, but it’s not my place to comment. I’m focused on Chelsea, but I hope Leicester remain in the Premier League. The people at the club are good, they care about the club and their families, and that’s rare in football.”
Maresca’s Comments Seem to Contradict His Previous Stance on Rudkin
Maresca remains highly regarded by Leicester fans for guiding them back to the Premier League, and he still maintains strong ties with the squad, as seen in his interactions before and after the match.
However, his praise for Rudkin appears to contradict his stance before departing for Chelsea.
A report from January revealed that Maresca had advised the Leicester hierarchy to appoint a sporting director to assist Rudkin, believing he was overloaded with responsibilities and needed support to modernize the club’s transfer strategy.
Rudkin remains a key figure at Leicester, with reports suggesting he wields significant decision-making power within the club.
