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TACTICAL SHIFT: ENZO MARESCA'S METHOD MAKES CHELSEA TITLE CONTENDERS
Chelsea is on the rise under Enzo Maresca. After a 3-0 win over Barcelona, can they close the gap on Arsenal? Full analysis.
After a tough few years, Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, looks like they're finally gelling and have their sights set on catching Arsenal.
In Tuesday’s Champions League match, Chelsea beat Barcelona 3-0. As the clock ticked down, Chelsea fans couldn't resist teasing the losing side, chanting "olé" with every pass.
The fans have missed this feeling. There's a new buzz around Stamford Bridge. After a shaky start under the new ownership, with changes in coaches and players, there's a sense that the team is heading back to the top of European football. The BlueCo project seems to be paying off.
Chelsea is now second in the Premier League and could be within three points of the lead if they beat Arsenal on Sunday.
They might not be ready to win the whole thing yet, but they’re not the same mess they used to be. Under Maresca, they've won four out of their last five games, with no goals scored against them in those wins.
Last season's trophies came with some debate. Some said winning the Conference League was expected, and others downplayed their Club World Cup win. But the way they dominated Paris Saint-Germain in the final was a statement, showing what they can do with the right players and coaching.
Star player Cole Palmer is close to returning after being out for two months. Things are looking up for Chelsea.
Maresca's Approach
At a club known for planning far into the future, Maresca keeps the focus on the present.
The 45-year-old coach isn't interested in long-term distractions. He’s focused on improving after each game and choosing the right players.
Will he be around for the long haul? Possibly. When he was hired last July, the owners decided to give him at least two seasons to bring stability to the team.
In a little over a year, Maresca has done a good job. Last year, Chelsea was near the top of the league for a while, won some trophies, and got back into the Champions League.
Maresca believes the team has improved a lot. Chelsea is more composed now than they were earlier in the season. Marc Cucurella says the team is settling, calmer, and more mature.
They have more control in games, and more players are scoring goals, instead of relying just on Palmer and Nicolas Jackson.
Maresca learned from Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, but he’s also been criticised for playing it too safe, limiting the freedom of players like Palmer.
Still, his possession-based approach has become more successful. His clear tactics have helped the young team. Maresca stands out as the only Premier League manager who hasn't used a player over 30.
Chelsea has a great youth academy, and Maresca gives those players opportunities. Jesse Derry chose Chelsea because Maresca gives young talent a chance to train and play with the first team.
Maresca also manages players’ time on the field well, giving key players rest when he can.
Barcelona's coach, Hansi Flick, recently called Chelsea one of the best teams in the world. The fans are behind Maresca.
The Estevao Factor
Estêvão has a way of getting fans excited as soon as he touches the ball. Former Chelsea player Pat Nevin said that Estêvão is special. You’re talking about Messi and Ronaldo.”
Like the fans, Nevin can't hide his excitement about Estêvão's potential.
Next summer, more young players will join Chelsea.
Chelsea's focus on young players doesn't seem to be slowing down.
Even though Chelsea has relied on Palmer, the team has shown they can win. They’ve won 12 out of 15 games without him this season.
Enzo Fernández and Caicedo, who were signed for a lot of money, are finally playing like it.
João Pedro is among the top players in the league for goal contributions, and other new players are starting to perform well.
Chelsea's recruitment is focused on the future, but they also made quick decisions in the summer to balance the books. They sold or loaned out a lot of players and brought in Facundo Buonanotte on loan.
They still have players like Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi who aren't playing. Conor Gallagher, a Chelsea academy product, was sold to make money.
Chelsea was one of the top sellers in the league this summer.
The owners, along with Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, are often seen watching games. Dave Fallows, who was behind Liverpool's signing of Mohamed Salah, recently joined to work on football development.
The plan is starting to work
Chelsea may not be ready to win the Premier League yet, but they are building a strong base.
There are still things to work on. They might need better centre-backs and a better goalkeeper in the future.
They also need to improve their discipline. Maresca himself has received several yellow cards.
Injuries have been a problem, but they need to find ways to beat teams that play defensively.
Getting big wins is important for the fans. Beating PSG was a boost, and this season they've also beaten Liverpool, Tottenham, and Barcelona.
The team spirit is better than it has been in a long time. They keep winning.
£104M SHOCK: CHELSEA LAUNCH RECORD-BREAKING BID FOR REAL MADRID STAR FEDERICO VALVERDE
Chelsea launch a stunning £104m bid for Real Madrid's Federico Valverde. Learn how Liam Rosenior plans to rebuild the Blues' midfield.
According to Fichajes, Chelsea is planning a move for Real Madrid's Federico Valverde.
After firing Enzo Maresca, Chelsea played two Premier League games against Manchester City and Fulham under caretaker boss Calum McFarlane, but they didn't win either one.
Liam Rosenior is now the new manager, and his time began with a big 5-1 win over Carlton Athletic in the FA Cup third round last weekend.
Fichajes says that Rosenior wants to build his Chelsea team around a midfielder who can do it all, and he thinks Valverde is the perfect guy.
But Valverde’s contract runs until 2029, so Real Madrid isn't looking to sell him. They'll only let him go if they get a crazy good offer.
The player likes being with the Spanish team and isn't trying to leave right now. Still, Chelsea is ready to make an official £104m offer to try and get Real Madrid to sell him. Real Madrid might have a tough time turning down that much money, and is willing to think about the offer before deciding.
Valverde is a flexible midfielder who can play as a deep playmaker or in a box-to-box role. He can also fill in at right-back and on the right side.
Valverde has had a lot of success with Real Madrid, winning every major competition and becoming one of the world's best midfielders.
Right now, Chelsea’s midfield options include Moisés Caicedo, Enzo Fernández, Romeo Lavia, Dario Essugo, and Andrey Santos. But Lavia and Essugo have been dealing with injuries.
Because of that, Caicedo and Fernandez have been playing a lot. Valverde is in his prime and could be a huge addition for Chelsea if they can get him.
It will be interesting to see if Chelsea can get the South American to join them in January or next summer.
Chelsea will play Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg this week before playing Brentford in the Premier League next weekend.
BREAKING: LIAM ROSENIOR DOES WHAT NINE CHELSEA MANAGERS COULDN’T IN TEN YEARS
Liam Rosenior ends a decade-long curse as Chelsea smash Charlton 5-1. Discover why he’s the first since Conte to win his debut.
Liam Rosenior couldn’t have asked for a better start as Chelsea’s new manager. His team smashed Charlton Athletic 5-1 in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, and with that, Rosenior became the first Chelsea boss in ten years to win his debut match. The goals came from everywhere—Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto, and Enzo Fernandez all got on the scoresheet. It was a statement win, and Chelsea cruised into the next round.
You have to go back to Antonio Conte in August 2016 to find the last time a new Chelsea manager kicked off with a victory. Back then, Conte oversaw a 2-1 win against West Ham. In between, nine different managers, including caretakers and interims—even Frank Lampard, twice—couldn’t pull off a debut win. They managed a handful of draws and a few losses, but nobody started with three points until Rosenior.
After the match, Rosenior sounded pretty pleased with his squad’s attitude. He said, “Yeah, I was very happy with the attitude of the team, even in the first half. This isn’t an easy place to come, third round of the FA Cup. I thought our pressing was really intense and sharp. We controlled things, created chances from distance, and got a great goal from Hato at the perfect time.”
He went on, “The game opened up in the second half. We know we’ve got fantastic players. I was able to bring more quality off the bench, but honestly, I was delighted with the starting XI and especially the front three. Ale kept pushing in his one-on-ones, Marc Guiu was outstanding and really deserved his goal, and Jamie Gittens kept running at defenders. He always looked dangerous. So yeah, a lot of positives and a really good start.”
Now, Chelsea’s focus shifts to the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Arsenal on Wednesday. After that, Rosenior takes charge of his first Premier League game at Stamford Bridge against Brentford.
Talking about the big Arsenal clash, Rosenior said, “I’ve got another two days. The main thing I challenged the players on was how we react to setbacks and the intensity we show. Nothing tactical or technical—these players are top quality and have been well coached before I arrived. I was happy with the togetherness, the spirit, the way they ran, won duels, won headers—all the basics. That’s what makes the difference.”
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