Despite splashing a billion euros on transfers last season, Chelsea finished a disappointing sixth in the EPL standings.
The London club’s results were highly erratic. For example, after a 6-0 home thrashing of Everton, Mauricio Pochettino’s team suffered a humiliating 0-5 away defeat to Arsenal. Chelsea managed to string together four consecutive wins only at the end of the season, but the quality of play remained subpar, especially in the defensive phase.
Fitness work.
Cobham Training Centre pic.twitter.com/2vd5s0TL2c
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 18, 2024
Pochettino made progress over the course of the season in developing and executing positional attacks, and the pressing in some games was impressive in its coherence. However, his team struggled to stabilize both physically and psychologically.
As a result, Chelsea’s management decided to part ways with the Argentine coach and appointed 44-year-old Italian Enzo Maresca. Maresca had previously served as an assistant to Pep Guardiola, and within one season, he managed to help Leicester City return to the English Premier League.
| Name | Enzo Maresca |
| Date of Birth | 10 February 1980 (44 y/o) |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Position as a Player | Midfielder |
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10) |
| Current Club | Chelsea (contract until June 2029) |
| Playing Career | West Bromwich Albion, Juventus, Fiorentina, Sevilla, Olympiacos, Málaga, Sampdoria, Palermo, Hellas Verona |
| Coaching Career | Manchester City EDS, Parma, Leicester City |
| Coaching Honors | 2020–21: Manchester City Under-23 – Premier League 2 2023–24: Leicester City – EFL Championship |
Can Maresca Fix Chelsea’s Scoring Woes?
Chelsea’s management is optimistic about Enzo Maresca’s appointment, particularly because he is an advocate of Juego de Posición, a structured positional football system. …
Enzo Maresca always has balls in his hands. No time to waste. pic.twitter.com/j3Ptu033uj
— Vince (@Blue_Footy) July 18, 2024
One of the first major issues Maresca will face at Chelsea is the need for clinical strikers. While at Leicester City, Maresca had forwards who netted 50 goals in a season.
…