By Michael Davey
France legend Marcel Desailly has backed Enzo Maresca amid criticism of the ex-Chelsea manager.
Maresca departed the Blues midway through last season and was recently unveiled as Pep Guardiola’s successor at Manchester City in a switch that left the London side feeling betrayed.
Despite the backlash, Desailly believes Maresca deserves credit for what he achieved at Stamford Bridge, with the club failing to give him the players he needed to succeed.
The former Marseille, AC Milan and Chelsea defender also warned Enzo Fernández against joining Real Madrid, insisting such a move would be a mistake.
Maresca praise
During an exclusive interview with sportscasting.com, Desailly spoke about the ongoing fallout from Maresca’s Chelsea exit, saying: “Did Enzo Maresca’s exit torpedo Chelsea’s season? Well, he was the winning coach of Chelsea.
“I think we should applaud what Enzo Maresca achieved while he was managing the club, not criticise him now.
“They had a great season with Maresca when they won the Conference League and they won the Club World Cup.
“They made a mistake with Maresca: they did not bring experienced players on board his team.
“You need to have those experienced players, which is a need that still exists for Xabi Alonso.”
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Fernández mistake
Asked to give his thoughts on how the Blues utilise Argentine star Fernández, Desailly stated: “You don’t play Enzo Fernández as the playmaker of the team in a 4-2-3-1. It’s not his position.
“Chelsea must understand that what you win offensively with him, you lose defensively on the leadership of the team without the ball.
“For Argentina, he is a defensive midfielder. He’s not a playmaker for the team. Absolutely not. He’s running, he’s chasing the ball.
“And at Chelsea, they gave him the role of the offensive leader. So this is where they made a mistake.
“That is probably one of the reasons for the drop they had last season. It is what it is.”
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Madrid rumours
On the likelihood of Fernández leaving for Madrid this summer, Desailly added: “I don’t think Enzo Fernández is the right fit for Real Madrid.
“He’s a great player, but after the experience he has had at Chelsea, I don’t see how he is capable of adapting.
“I can’t see him doing the work of a number four or a number six in club football, and that is what he should be doing because, in my opinion, that is his best role.
“Under Mourinho at Real Madrid, he would have to adapt and be prepared to do that defensive workload that he typically does with Argentina, which he was not used to at club level because at Chelsea they spoiled him.
“There is simply no room for Fernández to go to Real Madrid and expect to play as an offensive player, so Fernández has to accept dropping deeper.
“He has very good potential, but only if he adapts psychologically to the defensive load and uses his talent there, not as an attacking asset.”
