Ever wondered if football managers should control their players’ social media? Chelsea’s new boss Enzo Maresca has a clear stance, especially with controversial new signing Alejandro Garnacho heading to Stamford Bridge. Get the inside scoop on why Maresca won’t be policing posts. Will this hands-off approach lead to more drama or build stronger trust within the squad?
Chelsea’s new head coach, Enzo Maresca, has firmly stated his intention not to police the social media activities of his players, a policy that comes into sharp focus with the imminent arrival of promising winger Alejandro Garnacho to Stamford Bridge.
This declaration from Maresca arrives at a critical juncture, as Garnacho, whose £40 million transfer from Manchester United is nearing completion, has previously found himself at the center of significant controversy due to his online presence. His impending move, set to be the club’s seventh major signing of the current transfer window, brings with it a past history of social media-related fan backlash.
Garnacho’s relationship with his former club, Manchester United, experienced a notable deterioration following his exclusion from the starting lineup for the Europa League final. This public benching prompted the 21-year-old to openly question his future at Old Trafford in a post-match interview, laying the groundwork for subsequent online tensions.
Further exacerbating fan sentiment, during a June holiday, Garnacho posted a photograph of himself conspicuously wearing an Aston Villa shirt, emblazoned with “Rashford” on the back. This unambiguous endorsement of teammate Marcus Rashford’s decision to depart United ignited an angry and widespread backlash from the Manchester United faithful, highlighting the potential pitfalls of player social media.
Despite his well-documented personal disdain for social media platforms, Enzo Maresca has conveyed that his current priorities and responsibilities as head coach are too extensive to dedicate time to monitoring or curtailing his players’ online behavior, thereby establishing a clear precedent for player conduct under his leadership at Chelsea FC.
Maresca has already confronted questions regarding player online actions early in his tenure, specifically after a Chelsea defender removed all club references from his Instagram profile following his omission from the starting XI in a goalless draw against Crystal Palace. Such incidents underscore the constant scrutiny faced by Premier League footballers.
Regarding Garnacho, Maresca confirmed he has not yet engaged in direct discussions with the player, stating, “I didn’t speak with Garnacho yet. I know him as a player. But until it is a hundred per cent, I don’t speak with them because I don’t think it’s the correct thing.” This pragmatic approach emphasizes his focus on official confirmation before addressing individual player dynamics.
This hands-off policy by the Chelsea manager marks a distinctive approach to player management in the modern football era, where social media often serves as both a powerful connection to fans and a potential source of contention, challenging traditional notions of team discipline and fostering a unique environment for player conduct within the Premier League.
