Many Chelsea fans kept rumbling with manager Enzo Maresca after Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber seemed to be 'in embarrassment' with a blunt message of two words during Sunday's 1-0 defeat at the Emirates.
The game, decided by a 20th minute header by Mikel Merino from a Martin Odegaard Corner, marked a frustrating outing for the blues, who have now lost four consecutive away games in the Premier League.
Maresca's side also expanded their Winless Run against Arsenal to seven games.
But although the struggles on the Chelsea field are the most important care for most blues supporters, some fans on social media seemed more activated by a short touchline exchange between Maresca and Timber.
The incident took place deep in extra time during a short break in the game. Wood tended to Maresca and appeared several times to tell him to 'try harder'.
The Italian reacted with his mouth covered before wood brutally extinguished his hand. Maresca shook it before the game was resumed.
The images quickly became viral, with a few Chelsea fans livid about what they saw when their manager was mocked in real time.
A supporter posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Absolutely embarrassing our manager takes that.”
Another fumed: “Imagine this with another Chelsea manager ever, oh wait it would not happen.”
Others pointed out how the exchange symbolized the current struggles of Chelsea.
“This is not the Chelsea that we used to know,” complained one fan, while another claimed that an “elite manager would be rumbling on this point.”
Timber was one of the best players on the field on Sunday.
He touched the ball 64 times – more than all his teammates except William Saliba (70). The Dutch defender also won more air duels (four) than any other player on both sides.
Without Star Man Cole Palmer, Chelsea only collected two shots on goal.
Palmer had started all 28 of the Premier League matches of Chelsea before Sunday, but he was not available for a tight hamstring – an injury he sustained shortly after overcoming an illness.
Prior to the kick -off, Maresca Sky Sports told: 'He is certainly not in the toilet!
'He had, as we know, some problems last week [with illness].
“And unfortunately he had a very small problem yesterday. We think he will be back with us after the international break.
“He had an injury during the session yesterday. It was a very light session. That is why we think it is nothing important.
“But we are waiting and the feeling is that he will be back after the next international break.”
Comments