Enzo Maresca has dismissed suggestions that Pep Guardiola was manipulating Cole Palmer during their post-match conversation following Chelsea’s defeat at Manchester City. The idea, raised in a recent discussion, implied that Guardiola’s interaction with Palmer was a strategic move designed to influence the young midfielder.
Maresca, however, saw nothing unusual about the exchange and questioned the notion that Guardiola was playing any sort of mind game. “I don’t think Pep is playing a game, especially after the game is finished,” he said. “I don’t know what kind of game you are playing when the game is finished.”
The Chelsea manager pointed out that such interactions between players and coaches are common. He recalled instances where he himself had spoken with familiar players after matches, emphasizing that these moments are often lighthearted rather than strategic. “Sometimes we finish the game and I go on the pitch and find an opposition player I know. I have a chat with him. If we say something, we laugh,” he explained.
Using a recent example, he mentioned speaking with Timothy Castagne after Chelsea’s loss to Fulham. “Even the Fulham game we lost, I had Castagne at Leicester, I had a chat with him on the pitch, we were saying something and I was laughing. But it was not because I was happy to lose the game. It was just a moment.”
Maresca found the notion that Guardiola was attempting to get into Palmer’s head amusing. “OK! If you ask Cole if he remembers what he said, I don’t think so,” he remarked, dismissing the idea that the conversation held deeper significance.
Beyond the discussion around Palmer, Maresca addressed ongoing uncertainty surrounding Ben Chilwell, one of Chelsea’s top earners. With the transfer window closing soon, the left-back has attracted interest from Crystal Palace, and his future remains unresolved. Maresca suggested that Chilwell would likely not feature for Chelsea if he did not secure a move.
“One thing I can say about ‘Chilly’ is he has been a top professional, working every day,” Maresca said. “But because of the situation and because of my choice, he has struggled to get minutes. The decision is he can leave. If he is here on Tuesday, we will see.”
The discussion then turned to Chelsea’s squad depth, particularly with Renato Veiga departing on loan to Juventus. Some had speculated that Chilwell could be reintegrated into the squad as cover for Marc Cucurella, given Veiga’s versatility. However, Maresca pushed back on that notion.
“I don’t think Renato played many games with us at full-back,” he said. “We didn’t consider Renato a full-back. With us, he was playing midfielder, attacking midfielder, full-back in some moments, a central defender in some games. It is not because Veiga left that we consider Chilly back.”
With deadline day approaching, Chelsea faces decisions regarding its squad, particularly in defense. While Chilwell’s future remains uncertain, Maresca’s stance suggests that even if he stays, his role in the team may not significantly change.
