Former Chelsea star tells Enzo Maresca where it went wrong this season and the 'bad message' he sent his players

Former Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit has blasted Enzo Maresca for his side’s disappointing season and accused him of sending a ‘very bad message’ to the squad.

The Blues sit in sixth place, two points behind Newcastle in the final Champions League berth, and remain strong favourites to reach the Conference League final after being drawn against Swedish side Djurgardens in the semi-finals.

But it could have been so much better for Maresca’s men who made a strong start to the campaign and were in second place, just four points behind leaders Liverpool, at Christmas.

The west Londoners have since seen their form drop – including a run of just two wins in ten Premier League matches.  

Petit, 54, who spent three years at Stamford Bridge between 2001 and 2004, has criticised the Italian boss for their troubles. 

‘Maresca is probably responsible for a few things. First of all, he said that his team was not able to win the Premier League a few months ago and I think that was a very bad message he sent to his players,’ he told Sambaslots. 

Emmanuel Petit said Maresca sent a ‘very bad message’ to his squad and criticised the players

Cole Palmer has not scored a league goal since a draw with Bournemouth in mid-January

Maresca insisted his side were not in contention for the Premier League title despite moving just two points behind leaders Liverpool with a 2-1 victory over Brentford in December. 

‘No matter how many games we are going to win, I think we’re not ready to compete for the title,’ he said. 

‘It’s why I continue to say that we are not ready for titles. Even if you don’t believe me. 

Petit, who won the Premier League with Arsenal and the World Cup with France, also hit out at Chelsea’s players, including Cole Palmer. 

‘They’re a good team with so many young players all together, but I’ve been very disappointed with the performances so far, with a lot of them,’ he added.

‘Some players have been injured for months now and other players have not performed very well. 

‘They splashed so much money on some players and I’m not happy with them at all. Cole Palmer has not been the same kind of player since January. 

‘I think a lot of players don’t take responsibility on the pitch and they aren’t showing character and personality to step up.’ 

Petit spent three years at Stamford Bridge between 2001 and 2004 and also played for Arsenal

‘Some of them have stepped up, I’m thinking about Moises Caicedo, for example, Palmer, for example, was still the leader of the team until recently.

‘Enzo Fernandez has improved a lot from last season.’

While Cole Palmer has scored 14 league goals and provided 9 assists this campaign, he has not found the back of the net since a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth in mid-January. 

Chelsea remain level with seventh placed Aston Villa on 57 points and host Everton on Saturday as they look to secure Champions League qualification.