Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has addressed growing concerns about selfish play within his squad, shifting the spotlight from Christopher Nkunku to Carney Chukwuemeka after their 3-1 win against FC Astana in the UEFA Europa League.
Maresca, who has been focused on building a cohesive team since taking charge, did not hold back in criticizing Chukwuemeka’s performance, calling out his lack of teamwork and decision-making during the game.
Before the match, rumors had swirled around Nkunku’s playing style, with many fans labeling the French forward as the most self-centered player in Chelsea’s squad.
However, Maresca was quick to dismiss these claims in his post-match press conference, stating, “Nkunku works hard for the team, and I’ve never questioned his willingness to contribute. Tonight, the issue was elsewhere.” Instead, the manager directed his frustration at Chukwuemeka, who, according to Maresca, missed several opportunities to elevate the team’s performance.
The young midfielder was heavily involved in Chelsea’s attacking play against Astana but repeatedly opted for individual efforts rather than passing to better-positioned teammates.
Maresca explained, “He had chances to create big assists and even score goals, but his selfishness cost us. These are moments where the team must come first. Unfortunately, I had no choice but to substitute him for someone who could contribute more effectively.”
Chelsea’s victory against FC Astana secured their place in the knockout stages of the Europa League, but Maresca made it clear that the result could have been far more comfortable if Chukwuemeka had prioritized teamwork.
The Italian tactician emphasized the importance of collective effort in his system, adding, “Our philosophy is simple: every player must play for the team. Individual brilliance is welcome, but only if it serves the group. When that doesn’t happen, changes must be made.”
Despite the criticism, Maresca expressed hope that Chukwuemeka would learn from the experience. The 20-year-old, considered one of Chelsea’s brightest young talents, has shown flashes of brilliance this season but has also struggled with consistency and decision-making. “Carney has great potential,” Maresca admitted. “He’s young, and mistakes are part of the process. But he must understand that selfishness has no place in this team.”
The incident has sparked debate among Chelsea fans, with some agreeing with Maresca’s tough stance, while others believe the manager should handle such issues behind closed doors.
As Chelsea continue their push for success in domestic and European competitions, the pressure is mounting on players like Chukwuemeka to rise to the occasion and align with Maresca’s team-oriented vision.
