Enzo Maresca to Carlo Ancelotti: Managing Chelsea is not a game of PlayStation

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has responded to Carlo Ancelotti ahead of their upcoming match against Real Madrid in North Carolina.

The European heavyweights are gearing up for the new season and lock horns at the Bank of America Stadium – which kicks off at 12am UK time on Wednesday.

Ancelotti has been full of praise for Chelsea’s Maresca in the build-up to that clash and has urged the west Londoners to be ‘patient’ with their new Italian boss.

‘They have a good squad, good players, young,’ the Real Madrid manager said.

‘They have a young manager. They need to be a little bit patient, the owners, to take experience, to grow. But the signings that they have [made] are really good.’

Maresca has now responded to Ancelotti’s comments and said: ‘You cannot think after two weeks, three weeks that it will all work.

‘I appreciate Carlo’s words, I worked under him, his career is something unbelievable. It’s not something you make in two days, this is not PlayStation.’

Meanwhile, Moises Caicedo has attempted to make an excuse for Chelsea’s poor pre-season performances, blaming their form on the quality of ‘pitches’ in the USA.

The Blues were held to a 2-2 draw by League One side Wrexham AFC in California before being thumped by Scottish club Celtic 4-1.

Chelsea managed to record a 3-0 victory over Mexican team Club America but then lost 4-2 to Premier League champions Manchester City at Ohio Stadium.

Ahead of their next match against Real Madrid in North Carolina, Caicedo was asked to explain why Chelsea haven’t been doing so well in the United States.

Rather than taking any kind of accountability, Caicedo, who has largely struggled at Stamford Bridge since his big-money move last year, hit out at the ‘dry’ pitches.

‘It’s not the same to play as in Europe as the pitches are so good in Europe and here they are not so good,’ the Ecuador international midfielder said. ‘The pitches are so dry, we know we are players with amazing qualities but sometimes it is not you, it’s the pitches.’