Two first-team players ‘frustrated’ with Enzo Maresca after Atalanta defeat

Maresca’s team dismantled the La Liga champions 3-0 and then earned a 1-1 draw with Arsenal despite being reduced to ten men for nearly an hour.

However, the inconsistency that was evident last season has resurfaced during a disappointing beginning to December, with the Blues losing two of their previous three matches.

Chelsea were stunned in a 3-1 loss to relegation candidates Leeds United before their faint title hopes took another hit in a goalless draw with Bournemouth.

Maresca had hoped the Champions League would offer a chance to bounce back, but Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by Atalanta in a result that damaged their qualification prospects.

Joao Pedro put Chelsea ahead in Italy, yet Atalanta struck twice after the break to overturn the deficit and hand Maresca another discouraging setback.

Estevao Willian remained on the bench throughout the match, leaving Chelsea supporters confused and frustrated by his absence in what proved to be a costly defeat.

Estevao has quickly made a name for himself as one of world football’s brightest young talents following his £51m switch from Palmeiras last summer.

According to the Daily Mail, the 18-year-old looked clearly disappointed when he realised he would not be brought on against Atalanta.

While Estevao is still content at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s hierarchy will be keen to ensure he stays that way given his status as a potential future star.

Real Madrid had considered signing him while he was still in Brazil and are said to ‘regret’ not pushing harder to secure his arrival.

Reports suggest Estevao is not the only player seeking more minutes from Maresca, as fellow summer addition Facundo Buonanotte is also ‘frustrated’ with his limited chances.

Chelsea paid £2m to bring Buonanotte on loan from Brighton last summer, but the 20-year-old has featured just six times this season and has been left unused in seven straight matches.

Backup goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen is likewise reported to be ‘itching’ for game-time, aware that continued inactivity could hurt his hopes of making Denmark’s World Cup squad next summer.

Last month it emerged that Jorgensen — who made a £21m move from Villarreal in 2024 — might consider submitting a transfer request in the coming window.

He had aimed to usurp Robert Sanchez as Maresca’s first-choice keeper, but with that ambition yet to be realised, he is now contemplating a January departure.

Maresca has rotated heavily this season, making 119 changes to his starting line-ups — the most of any manager in England — and surpassing 100 substitutions across all competitions.

After a difficult stretch and the setback against Atalanta, Maresca will be eager to guide Chelsea back to winning ways this weekend as Everton travel to Stamford Bridge.

David Moyes’ side have won four of their last five matches, climbing to seventh place, just one point and two spots behind Chelsea.