According to Pochettino, that same player has continued to cause problems for the team and was directly responsible for the loss — yet Maresca still chose to play him for the full 90 minutes.
Sources close to Pochettino suggest he was frustrated to see familiar mistakes repeating themselves under Maresca’s management. “I told him about that player,” Pochettino reportedly said. “He keeps making the same errors, disrupting the rhythm of the team. He doesn’t deserve to start, honestly — he needs to learn manners and discipline.”
The comments have sparked a wave of reactions among Chelsea fans and pundits, many of whom have speculated about which player Pochettino was referring to. Some supporters believe the issue lies in attitude rather than ability, pointing to moments of visible frustration on the pitch and a lack of teamwork in recent games.
The defeat to Sunderland has only added to growing tension at Stamford Bridge, with questions now being asked about Maresca’s team selections and his willingness to take tough decisions regarding underperforming players.
As the pressure builds, all eyes will be on Chelsea’s next fixture — and whether Maresca decides to stand by his squad choices or make bold adjustments in response to the criticism.
