Arsenal legend, Ian Wright has blamed Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca for harming the Blues’ Premier League season with his ‘strange’ comments about their title credentials.
Chelsea emerged as surprise title challengers earlier in the season after a series of impressive results.
But Maresca repeatedly said his team were not ready to compete with the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City for the Premier League title.
Maresca’s side have continued to struggle this year, winning just one of their four Premier League games.
They have slipped to sixth position in the Premier League table with 13 points behind leaders Liverpool.
However, Wright believes Maresca’s comments on Chelsea’s title race have affected the team’s campaign.
“I found it strange – it didn’t need to be said. At some stage there was going to be some form of drop-off without him saying that and giving them an excuse,” Wright said on the Wrighty’s House podcast.
“He should have just said it’s brilliant and we’re ahead of schedule and we will see where we are. That’s what you do.
“Nuno [Espirito Santo] would never say something like that about [Nottingham] Forest… just play. It gets into the player’s heads and gives them a get out of jail free card.
“I’m not saying they would have won the title but I would like to think they wouldn’t have gone on a run like this after doing so well.
“They were playing so well and looking so dangerous. I remember sending messages saying Chelsea scare me, Chelsea are dangerous.
“Why would you throw that [comment] into the mix? If Chelsea get the Champions League, magnificent. Now they might be looking at the Europa League with the way it’s dropping off.”
