Alan Pardew shares what he cannot stand about Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, ‘I don’t like that’

Add as preferred source on Google

Former Premier League manager Alan Pardew has just launched a scathing attack on Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

The Italian has taken Chelsea back into the Champions League after guiding them to a fourth-place finish in the Premier League.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	38	25	9	4	86	41	45	84
2	ArsenalArsenal	38	20	14	4	69	34	35	74
3	Man CityManchester City	38	21	8	9	72	44	28	71
4	ChelseaChelsea	38	20	9	9	64	43	21	69
5	NewcastleNewcastle	38	20	6	12	68	47	21	66
6	Aston VillaAston Villa	38	19	9	10	58	51	7	66

Maresca also has a shot at winning silverware, with the Blues taking on Real Betis in the Conference League final on Wednesday.

Yet Pardew does not seem to be a fan, though former Chelsea winger Joe Cole has been impressed with Maresca’s work this season.

• READ MORE: Real Betis manager thinks he has already worked Chelsea out before final, ‘knowing Enzo’

Alan Pardew criticises Enzo Maresca’s style of play

Pat Nevin and others have questioned Maresca at times for playing some of Chelsea’s stars out of position.

Pardew has now done the same thing while also criticising the 45-year-old’s philosophy. On talkSPORT, the ex-Newcastle United and Crystal Palace boss said: “There are decisions he makes structurally in the team that sort of… baffling is the only word I can use for it.

“And also, I find the style of play a little bit, kind of this tendency in the Premier League to keep the ball and to sort of make the other team suffer rather than go and attack the other team. This seems to be one of his philosophies and I don’t like that.”

Chelsea’s view of Maresca’s football seems to be the polar opposite of Pardew’s. It has been claimed that Maresca’s job was safe before his side even kicked a ball against Nottingham Forest because his employers believe his style of play will eventually pay off.

This season, the most important thing was getting back into the Champions League, and the Blues have been able to do that under Maresca.

After failing to qualify for Europe’s elite competition in the previous two campaigns, that is the only thing that will matter to Chelsea’s owners right now.

Chelsea’s possession stats this season

It is true, Chelsea have seen a lot of the ball during their games in the Premier League this term.

According to WhoScored, Manchester City and Liverpool were actually the only teams whose average ball possession was higher than Chelsea’s. Away from home, the Blues actually had the second-highest possession.

Ultimately, Chelsea have proven to be a dominant side and if they can add more of a clinical edge to their game next term, then maybe Pardew and the club’s other critics will enjoy their performances a bit more.