Levi Colwill sums up Chelsea feelings over Maresca style after rant at critics

Levi Colwill has said Enzo Maresca was entirely justified for hitting back at Chelsea’s critics after they secured return to the Champions League next season

Levi Colwill has launched an impassioned defence of Enzo Maresca’s playing style by insisting: “We are exciting.” Maresca told Chelsea’s critics “eff you” after sealing a return to the Champions League on Sunday.

And now the youngest squad in Premier League history will look to crown their season of improvement by winning the Conference League against Real Betis tomorrow night. Colwill said that Maresca was “completely right” to hit back at those who have doubted his young team and their possession-based style.

And despite fans showing their displeasure at Maresca’s patient approach in recent weeks, Colwill said the team “felt as one” with the fans as they secured fourth place last weekend.

“People are always going to doubt us,” he said. “It’s normal, we’re used to it. Like the gaffer said, he was completely right, we proved them wrong.

“There’s so much more to come. We’re all amazing players and we know that. We’re gaining the experience we need and are getting better every day.”

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The centre back puts their difficulties in breaking down opponents as a result of opponents being increasingly determined to defend deep – and it’s “just not football” to expect free-flowing joy in every match.

“There have been games where we’ve had to sit off a bit more, which we don’t want to,” Colwill said. It’s just how the game works. It’s just part of football. The manager plays how he wants us to play. We play amazing football.

“It’s exciting, we’re attacking all the time and creating chances, which we’ve seen all season.

“I think we know that, the fans know that. Everyone wants to see goals, everyone wants to see us winning. But that’s just not football.”

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