Maresca safe for now despite clash with fans as Blues’s UCL hopes hang by thread

Enzo Maresca is still on safe ground as Chelsea's head coach, though the Italian has work to do to improve his relationship with the fanbase after seemingly taking on his own supporters following Sunday's draw with Ipswich.

Full focus inside of the Premier League club is on the run-in, where they can still secure Champions League football and lift a trophy in the Conference League, and there is no consideration being made for yet another managerial change.

Outside, there was some surprise that Maresca criticised the Stamford Bridge atmosphere to the extent that he suggested the 'environment' helped relegation-threatened Ipswich take their two-goal lead.

Maresca appeared to claim the negativity led to Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez sending a goal-kick long as opposed to playing it short as per the original plan, and the visitors took advantage by making 2-0 seconds later.

Chelsea bounced back to draw 2-2 with Jadon Sancho scoring an exquisite equaliser, though there were no celebrations at full-time due to the realisation that this was a game they should have won for their top-five charge.

Co-owner Behdad Eghbali made one of his routine visits to the home changing room after that game, along with co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.

Maresca himself was highly frustrated with the result and remains committed to succeeding with Chelsea, though questions will inevitably be asked if the club miss out on Champions League football again.