Enzo Maresca taking Chelsea beyond limits 4-months into the epic journey

Enzo Maresca wakes up as one of the most loved persons in West London these days because he has started to make them believe in what they love, again. His early days at Chelsea has brought genuine laughter to fans, and rival fans can only evny.

The former Leicester City man was appointed as the successor of Mauricio Pochettino, who parted ways with the club in the summer following a disagreement on how things should be run at the club.

Since the takeover of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in 2022, the hierarchy has got a lot wrong in appointing a successor to Thomas Tuchel, but in Enzo Maresca, it seems they have finally found a man worthy.

Enzo Maresca : Sustaining the Active Process

Chelsea didn’t have the worst end to their final weeks under Mauricio Pochettino, which made the decision to relief him of his duties one that instigated an uproar in the fan base. However, the days under Enzo Maresca, so far, has earned the board nothing but praise from the club’s faithfuls.

The ember that had been made to spark by Pochettino, is now gradually advancing into an explosive under the guidance of Maresca, who has ensured continuity of the impressive job done by the Argentine boss.

A the stalemate with Nottingham Forest in their final game before the international break was seen as a substantial failure, and that is an evidence to how much that has changed in a year, as the club rapidly comes out of what was an underwhelming experience.

After seven games into the season, Chelsea has won 14 points, six more than they had at this stage last season. They have also scored 16 goals, and only Manchester City has more, with 17.

As much as this is a continuity of what was becoming obvious under Mauricio Pochettino last season, Maresca has been doing a few things differently, and those things will make performances and results sustainable, when the new manager syndrome phase is passed.

Winning Hearts, the Secret to Winning Games

Probably the best decision Chelsea made in replacing Mauricio Pochettino is going for a low profile manager. Many top managers fail at top teams due to self pride. The club has had its history of players rebellion just to get the manager sacked.

So far under Enzo Maresca, he has been able to handle the difficulty situations expertly.Infield issues can sometimes be the least of a manager’s problem when things off it are not healthy. The Italian has done his assignment, learning under one of the all-time best on the job, in Pep Guardiola, and he indeed learned the underrated aspect of it.

Handling the press is that aspect of management where most managers failed. Enzo Maresca, so far at Chelsea has been put throgh this difficulty tests, and he has come out of them without fueling the air of intended controversy.

The first test came in the summer, when Enzo Fernandez was involved in a video, livestreaming offensive and racist chants against French forward Kylian Mbappé after Argentina’s 1-0 win over Colombia in the final of the 2024 Copa America tournament.

The midfielder was accused of “uninhibited racism” by his Chelsea team-mates, especially those from France, with Axel Disasi and Wesley Fofana not hiding their dissatisfaction with the actions of the 23-year-old.

Asked about the incidence during the club’s pre-season in Santa Clara, Maresca said:

“The player did a statement, apologised, and the club did the same. I don’t think there is something to add, the situation is already clear.”

When asked if there would be problems bringing him back into the squad, the Chelsea head coach added: “I don’t think so, to be honest. At the end, they are all human beings, I don’t think there are any bad intentions from any one of them.

When Enzo is back, I don’t think we will have any problems, the player already clarified the situation, and the club did the same. There is nothing to add.

He is not a bad human being. It can happen, I don’t think there are any problems at all. I spoke with Enzo, I spoke with a lot of them. The player has made a statement and apologised, it is clear.”

Maresca went on to name Enzo Fernandez the captain in the absence of Reece James, who is yet to feature this season, formerly due to suspension, but now injury.

There have also been questions critical questions about some underperforming players but he has handled them well, in manners that will not let the team harmony in jeopardy.

There were signs of resentments in the team last season, with players fighting to take spotkicks, selfish plays and frustration due to unsatisfactory with minutes played and others, but under Maresca, there has been nothing of such. So far.

Perhaps their involvement in Europe this season also offers an aid, as it serves as a consolation for those who do not get enough minutes in the league.

Chelsea made a complete change to the starting XI that started their 4-2 win over Brighton to the side that took on Gent in the UEFA Conference League last mid-week. It shows not only how much he trusts the players, but also how much he’ll risk to ensure nothing upsets the team harmony.

Tactical Impact

Enzo Maresca has a clear pattern he wants his side to play. In settled play, they fall into a 4-2-5 shape with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez action as a situational center back. This gives the team a numerical advantage.

They build-up from goalkick in a 4-2-4 shape, just like in the time of Mauricio Pochettino and in transition, they form a 3-2-5, with one fullback inverting into the middle of the pitch as an extra midfielder, while the other joins the attack to create an overload.

So far, it has worked well for him with the London club. Chelsea averages 56 percent possession in the Premier League this season, the only team with a significant difference is Manchester City, who has 63 percent.

Chelsea ranks only below Manchester City and Arsenal on percentage of build-up completed and ball progression from goalkicks. They’ve also created 27 big chances, only Liverpool has more with 28.

Maresca has inherited a team of quality and talented players at Chelsea, and so far he has been able to put them to good use. On their day, they are almost unbeatable. Their only league loss so far under the Italian, came on the opening weekend against defending champions, Pep Guardiola’s domineering Manchester City. Despite losing 2-0 in Stamford Bridge, Chelsea did not fail to make the visitors uncomfortable.

They did everything but score, despite creating as many big chance as Manchester City. Moving on from that loss, the Blues have found their feat again and have scored in every league game other than that.

However in their following league game at the Molineux, they make up big time as Enzo Maresca became the first-ever manager in Premier League history to see their team score six goals in his first away game in the competition.

He went on to become the first manager to win each of his first three away Premier League games since Pep Guardiola in September 2016.

Making Best use of talented squad

Former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger said in a recent interview: “I always watch their games when I can, they have a lot of talent, wow, I bet some clubs wish they can spend this much and have those players, I’m very happy…”

In the likes of Cole Palmer, Jadon Sancho, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and several others, the club is progressing and with time, the trajectory will be absolutely mind-blowing, if nothing disrupts the process.

The group is young and have been tied down on long-term contracts. They are ready to thread the road with the club, and even recently, important players have signed extensions on their Chelsea contract, with those with the least years having contracts until 2029.

They are not there yet. Results against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest are down to earth for fans not to expect too much as needless pressure could force the hand of management. This is Chelsea, and not so much is new.

Huge tests await after the international break as the team prepares to face its biggest test yet under their new Italian manager, with Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Arsenal all scheduled before another international break in November.

Enzo Maresca recently picked up the Premier League Manager of the month of September prize to become the first Chelsea boss to win the award since Thomas Tuchel, three years ago in October 2021.

He was also able to add three away wins so far in the league, leading Chelsea to five consecutive away win in top-flight matches for the first time since December 2021 under Thomas Tuchel. Chelsea had won their final two away games under Mauricio Pochettino last season.

There will be days of delight as well as days of disgust, but no result of a single match amongst these will define the time of Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, so fans should only enjoy the moment when they win, and get behind them when they don’t.

It is a process afterall, and Enzo Maresca has shown he has what it takes to achieve the Chelsea of old, the Chelsea of dream.

Hassan Afolabi