LONDON, April 25, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Enzo Maresca insists his first season at 
Chelsea has not been a failure after criticism of the Italian's conservative 
tactics in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

Maresca's sixth-placed side are in danger of missing out on a top five finish 
in the Premier League with just five games left.

The Blues have only six wins in their last 17 league games ahead of 
Saturday's clash with Everton at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are two points adrift of fifth-placed Newcastle after coming from 
behind to beat Fulham 2-1 with two late goals.

Maresca barely celebrated the west London derby victory, leaving the Craven 
Cottage pitch immediately after the final whistle in a move that was 
interpreted as a response to mounting criticism from frustrated supporters.

The former Leicester manager's cautious game plans have irked fans, who have 
jeered Maresca and his players several times this season.

Maresca is adamant he deserves respect for his work at Chelsea, who finished 
sixth under his predecessor Mauricio Pochettino last term.

"Compared to the last two years, the season is not a failure," Maresca told 
reporters on Friday.

"How many times in the last two years have Chelsea been in the Champions 
League places? And this season we have been there almost all season. It's an 
improvement or not? It's already an improvement."

Despite Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly Clearlake Capital investing over œ1 
billion ($1.3 billion) in new signings since buying the club in 2022, the 
Blues are yet to win a trophy in the post-Roman Abramovich era.

But, having been in second place and two points behind champions-elect 
Liverpool in December, Maresca accused the doubters of failing to recognise 
Chelsea's development.

"Compared to the last two years it's quite clear there is an improvement," he 
said.

"If you want to see it, you see it. If you don't want to see it, you don't 
see it. Depends in which way you look. I see it.

"We have the obligation to bring this club to where it belongs. The results 
have been there. Me as a manager, the club, we all have ambition. I think we 
are in the right direction and hopefully we can be there very soon."

Asked about his tense relationship with Chelsea fans, Maresca added: "I can 
understand. The fans are the same as when they were singing that Chelsea is 
back and showing that they were happy.

"Now because we are not winning the same number of games as at the beginning, 
they are showing they're not happy."