LEICESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 21: Wilfried Ndidi of Leicester looks on during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and Everton FC at The King Power Stadium on September 21, 2024 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Enzo Maresca makes Leicester City point after celebrating Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s Chelsea goal.
The former Leicester City manager jumped for joy when Dewsbury-Hall got off the mark at his new club on Thursday night, scoring the fourth in a 4-2 victory over Gent.
Enzo Maresca emphasised his belief in former Leicester City favourite Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after jumping for joy over the midfielder’s first Chelsea goal.
Dewsbury-Hall latched onto a loose ball and finished underneath the goalkeeper for the fourth goal of Chelsea’s 4-2 Europa Conference League win over Gent on Thursday night. It was the first time he had found the net since his £30m summer move to Stamford Bridge from City.
Maresca had been reserved in his dugout during the game, but for Dewsbury-Hall’s goal, he leapt down the touchline in celebration. He said it was due to the midfielder’s “struggle” since joining Chelsea.
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The Italian coach said Dewsbury-Hall has had to adjust from being the star man at City to just a member of the squad at Chelsea. The 26-year-old has started four games in all competitions, but is yet to be named in the 11 for a Premier League match, and has missed out on a place on the bench a couple of times too.
“I completely understand how difficult things are at the moment for Kiernan,” Maresca said. “He was the main player at Leicester, joins Chelsea and you become one of the players. You are on the bench, not in the squad, not playing from the start.
“So you struggle a bit at the beginning but he has to understand the reason why he is here is because we want him. The celebration is probably because I know he needs that. That is the reason why.”
Dewsbury-Hall himself was delighted to get off the mark for his new club, especially at home, where he can continue to show the fans what he offers. He said: “I’m over the moon. I’ve been waiting for that moment since I joined the club, to show everybody what I’m good at, what my qualities are, and I’m just happy it came to fruition tonight.
“Scoring the goal was an amazing feeling and I’ll never forget that, but winning the game when you change that many players is a credit to everyone. I won’t forget this night in a hurry.
