‘We deserved much more’: Enzo Maresca on Chelsea’s frustrating draw against Bournemouth

Enzo Maresca Chelsea
Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed his dissatisfaction following the Blues’ 2-2 draw against Bournemouth, a result that leaves their Premier League top-four hopes in jeopardy.

When asked if the result was fair, Maresca responded: “I don’t think so. I think we deserved much more, especially the first half. It’s a game we could finish 2-0, 3-0 first half – the amount of shots, chances, but it’s football.”

Despite Chelsea taking an early lead, their defensive lapses in the second half allowed Bournemouth to score twice before Reece James rescued a point with a dramatic 95th-minute free-kick.

Reflecting on the team’s performance, Maresca highlighted a key issue: “The negative thing is that after we concede the [first] goal, we completely change the way we are playing in terms of we drop a little bit, and this is something we need to improve.”

However, he remained firm in his belief that Chelsea should have taken all three points: “Overall, I think we completely deserved to win the game and did enough to win.”

Chelsea’s inability to capitalise on their dominance in the first half and their vulnerability after conceding highlight the challenges facing Maresca as he seeks to secure Champions League football for the Blues next season.