Chelsea stars 'change their tune' over Enzo Maresca after making Pochettino feelings clear

Chelsea players have changed their tune on the club parting ways with Mauricio Pochettino after many initially disagreed with the mutual decision, according to reports. Pochettino’s exit was said to have gone down sourly in the dressing room, but Chelsea’s stars are now preparing to welcome incoming boss Enzo Maresca.

The Blues finally clicked under the former in recent months, losing just one of their final 15 Premier League games and ending the campaign with five consecutive wins.

It sealed a sixth-place finish, booking a spot in the Europa League before Manchester United’s FA Cup win demoted them to the Conference League.

And the late surge made Pochettino’s departure a genuine surprise externally and, reportedly, within the dressing room.

The Guardian claimed that Chelsea players were shocked by the development, having been convinced the Argentine was pulling his young squad in the right direction.

A fifth managerial exit under the Clearlake-Boehly regime was said to have been met with disbelief and disapproval among the playing staff, who strongly supported Pochettino.

There was reportedly a fear that the outcome of showdown talks with co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali would set Chelsea back to square one.

However, fresh reports suggest that there has been somewhat of a U-turn between players after Maresca emerged as Pochettino’s likely successor.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have reached an agreement to name Maresca their new head coach on a five-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months.

Leicester City are due to receive around £10million in compensation for the Italian’s services after he secured an instant Premier League return by pipping Ipswich Town to the Championship title.

And CaughtOffside report that Chelsea’s players are excited about the prospect of working with him next season, having generated momentum at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.

It’s added that there is also a belief that Maresca’s favoured 4-3-3 should favour the squad’s traits ahead of his first transfer window at the helm.

The 44-year-old represents a risky appointment, especially after the negative reaction to Pochettino’s departure.

His short time as Leicester boss was his only full season as a senior head coach. He also managed Parma in 2021 but lasted just a few months before the Serie B side dismissed him.

Pep Guardiola added Maresca to his coaching staff at Manchester City in 2022, though, serving as a promising endorsement of his qualities.