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John Terry offers different view on Enzo Maresca saga after conversations with former Chelsea boss

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John Terry has actually defended Enzo Maresca after a war of words has broken out between Chelsea and their former manager.

Maresca has been announced as the new Manchester City manager after weeks of speculation, although the Blues made sure to sending a parting shot towards the Italian.

Chelsea accused Maresca of derailing their 2025/26 season, and are hoping that they can start to bring the good times back to Stamford Bridge with the hiring of Xabi Alonso.

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City have confirmed Maresca will replace Guardiola.

John Terry sides with Enzo Maresca after conversations with former Chelsea manager

This messy situation has threatened to spill out since New Year’s Day when he departed, although club legend John Terry does not believe Chelsea are as guilt-free as they claim to be.

He told Sports Uncensored that after speaking to Maresca when he was in charge of the club, he understood that the manager was frustrated, and wished he had finished the campaign at Stamford Bridge.

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Photo by Gabriele Maltinti – FIGC/FIGC via Getty Images

He said: “There’s a lot more behind the scenes that go on. I was privy to a lot of it. I’ve had conversations with Enzo on many different occasions. He was frustrated very early in the season, and I’m just more disappointed he didn’t get to stay and finish the job.

“If he then decides to go to Man City at the end of that, I’ve not got a problem with that because Chelsea are probably going this way [down] and City are going that way [up].

“I don’t mind him progressing, but I would loved him to have finished what was a really good job initially. We’ve got £17m coming back we’ve missed out on Champions League maybe because of it.

“As a whole, Chelsea football club and the supporters have lost out, and that’s what I don’t like that.”

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Terry had complaints when Maresca was at Chelsea

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and it looks as if Terry is forgetting what he actually felt about Maresca during his time in charge of the club.

The club legend had been scathing about Maresca’s tactics on numerous occasions while he was in charge, and had made it clear he didn’t believe his rotation policy was working.

There are perhaps some sour grapes in the whole situation, with Terry feeling as if he should have been the one who took over instead of Liam Rosenior.

One thing for sure is there will be a hostile atmosphere inside Stamford Bridge when Maresca and City visit on April 24, his first return since departing the club.