Enzo Maresca joined Chelsea this summer from Leicester replacing the outgoing Mauricio Pochettino. Here are some analysis, game plan, future.
History has told that time is not a luxury for Chelsea managers and that has not changed with the new owners as well. Since Blue Co took over the club in 2022, there have been four managerial changes. Mauricio Pochettino lasted for only a season despite Chelsea playing well towards the end of the season. Now Enzo Maresca is here with only a limitted experience as a senior level manager. In his first season with Leicester City he gained promotion and claimed the Championship title. But it has not been the best of the starts for Maresca sitting fith on the table.
ENZO MARESCA SEASON SO FAR
Enzo Maresca was the deputy of Pep Guardiola for a few years before getting appointed as the head coach of Leicester City last season. He made a real impact at the Championship side helping them bounce back to the Premier League just a season after relegation. Maresca created a unique playing style with the players he had at Leicester.
It was announced on 3rd June 2024 that Enzo Maresca has joined Chelsea replacing Mauricio Pochettino. He was handed out with a humongous squad with over 30 players in it. The primary task he had was the sort out the list of players he wanted. In addition to that they also went on to sign 11 more in the summer transfer window. After the signings and the players he sent into exhile we understood the style he was going to implement. At Leicester he used pacey wingers who can deliver crosses into the box and finished off by his strikers. We think that was only area he couldn’t find a player he wanted. At Leicester he had Jamie Vardy one of the best poachers in the box. Here at Chelsea he has Nicola Jackson who is not exactly a fox in the box.
So far this season Chelsea have accumulated three wins with a draw and loss. Since the opening day loss to Manchester City they have only lost a single match in all competitions. In the last match against Barrow AFC in the Carabao Cup they scored five courtesy of a hat-trick from Christopher Nkunku. Anyway from the early round of matches it is clear hat Maresca is trying to find a perfect combination among the attackers. He wants his wingers to run along the wing deliver crosses. Nicolas Jackson scored twice and assisted one during their last PL match against West Ham United. Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson have combines for most goals so far this season.
GAME PLAN
Enzo Maresca plays a style of football which focuses on possession and build-up from the deep. His teams use short passes to beat high press. Like all the modern teams he uses high press in defending. High pressing to regain possession at the top of the pitch and quick build up to score. He normally plays a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1 which he uses at Chelsea. With four attackers lead by Nicolas Jackson ahead of a rotating trio of two wingers and a playmaker. Unexpectedly Nicolas Jackson has been a revelation in the last few matches. On his day he has been brilliant.
Wesley Fofana as said recently to the Chelsea website that “When you want to win titles and want to win every weekend, you focus on the little details. This is the difference between a good team and a big team. He explains every day in training that the little details are very important.”
So the little things, that’s what Maresca focuses on. When you play a deep build up style you have to look at all the little details.
WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA AND MARESCA?
Chelsea welcome Brighton and Hove Albion to the Stamford Bridge for matchday six in the Premier League hoping to continue their recent good form. But the Seagulls are one of the best teams in he leagues this season. Under Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton are the only team other than leaders Man City who are unbeaten. This might be the second challenge Maresca and Chelsea are going to face since the opening day clash with Man City.
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