Chelsea players make feelings clear on Enzo Maresca after statement released

Members of the Chelsea squad have sent their appreciation to Enzo Maresca after the 45-year-old's exit from Stamford Bridge

Plenty of Chelsea players made their feelings towards Enzo Maresca clear after the 45-year-old’s departure on New Year’s Day. The Blues confirmed that they had parted ways with Maresca on the same day that the January transfer window opened.

Maresca’s last match in charge of Chelsea came in their 2-2 draw with Bournemouth earlier this week.

Rumours about Maresca’s future had been swirling for several days before Chelsea officially confirmed the news on New Year’s Day, and now the search will officially begin for a replacement for the Italian.

Defender Marc Cucurella became one of the first Chelsea players to send a public message to Maresca following his departure from Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

“Thank you for everything, mister, and to your staff. For the work and the trust from day one, and for the memories,” wrote Cucurella on Instagram.

“Wishing you all the best in what comes next. Good luck, boss!”

The post from Cucurella to his 2.4 million followers also received more than 230,000 likes, including many from members of the Chelsea squad.

Moises Caicedo, Robert Sanchez, Dario Essugo, Estevao Willian, Pedro Neto, Josh Acheampong and Malo Gusto all liked the post from Cucurella. Chelsea loanee Nicolas Jackson, who is on loan at Bayern Munich, as well as club legend John Terry also liked the post.

Sanchez also took to social media to confirm that Maresca's backroom staff members had left the club too. "Thank you for everything Enzo, Mickey (De Bernardin), Willy (Caballero), Dani, Marcos (Alvarez) and Robi," he said. "Very grateful for the trust and the memories we shared, those will live with me forever.

"Wishing you all the best for the future, will miss you all."

Chelsea defender Levi Colwill echoed Cucurella’s comments by posting his own message to offer his appreciation to Maresca.

“Not just a top manager but also a top person,” Colwill wrote on Instagram. “Thank you for everything. It was a pleasure to work with you and create great memories.”

Pedro Neto also wrote on Instagram to send his gratitude to Maresca for his time as manager at Chelsea.

“Thank you for everything you and your staff have done,” Neto wrote. “For all the memories, achievements and trust. I wish you all the best.”

Maresca had won the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea just a few months ago, but now the club are searching for a replacement following his exit.

"Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted company," the statement from Chelsea read. "During his time at the club, Enzo led the team to success in the UEFA Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.

"Those achievements will remain an important part of the club's recent history, and we thank him for his contributions to the club.

"With key objectives still to play for across four competitions including qualification for Champions League football, Enzo and the club believe a change gives the team the best chance of getting the season back on track. We wish Enzo well for the future."

Chelsea’s next match will see them face Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday, the same club that Maresca had been linked with joining amid speculation about Pep Guardiola’s future.