Maresca was sacked on New Year's Day and replaced by Liam Rosenior. The decision being made despite Maresca leading Chelsea to title victories in the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup last season, plus qualifying for the Champions League.
Obi Mikel told the Mirror: “Maresca built a very good squad with the players that he had, young talented players with potential and I thought he would get more time to grow with that team. I think we’ve taken one step forward and five steps backwards.
“Back in the day, we used to have those big-name players, or those big-name coaches, and the club has decided to go in this direction which I don't know if it's a gamble, we'll wait and see.
“Liam has to create that winning mentality again, he has to make sure he brings the fans with him, because he needs the fans.
“Right now, the fans are not happy, so he needs to find a way of carrying the fans along with him, creating that winning mentality, it's a tough job for him to do
“Whatever the owners’ motives are, I'm just hoping that they will look at the football club and know that the fans are the football club. Without the fans, there's no football club.
"They have to listen to the fans, they have to feel the temperature of the fans, they have to be there, and know exactly… listen to the fans, and know what the fans demand from them."