Wayne Rooney has warned that Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca may have weakened his standing at the club after making cryptic public comments that appeared to criticise the club’s ownership, despite guiding the team to a Premier League victory over Everton.
Speaking after Saturday’s win, Maresca described the build-up to the match as the “worst 48 hours” since he arrived at Stamford Bridge in June 2024, a remark that sparked speculation about internal tensions at the west London club.
As reported by BBC Sport, Rooney said the comments were unlikely to have been accidental and suggested they were aimed squarely at Chelsea’s hierarchy. Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sounds, the former Manchester United striker said those in charge at Chelsea would have clearly understood the message.
Rooney argued that such public remarks could leave Maresca exposed if results begin to falter, noting that managers who openly criticise ownership rarely enjoy protection during difficult periods. He added that the comments could count against the Italian if Chelsea’s form dips.
Although Chelsea currently sits fourth in the Premier League, recent inconsistency has raised questions about long-term stability. Rooney contrasted Maresca’s situation with the public backing previously given to Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, suggesting that similar support may not be forthcoming at Chelsea.
Rooney also speculated that Maresca may have been reacting to internal pressure or concerns over his position, but said the move was risky regardless of the motivation. He described the situation as “very strange” and questioned whether the manager had acted pre-emptively to defend himself.
Concluding his remarks, Rooney stressed that managers must maintain respect for club owners, warning that Maresca’s comments could make it difficult for Chelsea to publicly defend him if the club suffers further setbacks in the weeks ahead.
