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Chelsea new boss Enzo Maresca is relatively unknown to football fans but there is excitement and intrigue regarding his appointment.
Enzo Maresca took over from Mauricio Pochettino as Chelsea boss at the end of last season. It was a surprise appointment but one that the Chelsea hierarchy hope will finally help them return to the top.
Who is Enzo Maresca?
Enzo Maresca, born February 10, 1980, is a seasoned Italian football professional who has transitioned from a successful playing career to a promising coaching career. He is currently the head coach of Premier League giants Chelsea.
Maresca's playing career spanned nearly two decades, starting with West Bromwich Albion in 1998. He then returned to Italy, playing for esteemed clubs like Juventus, Fiorentina, and Olympiacos, with stints in La Liga with Sevilla and Málaga.
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His impressive resume boasts 140 Serie A appearances, 17 goals, and five major titles with Sevilla.
Although he represented Italy at the youth level, including the under-21 team, Maresca never received a senior team call-up.
Maresca won the Championship in his first season as a senior manager in England with the Foxes, getting 97 points and sending the East Midlands club straight back to the Premier League.
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Pep Guardiola's influence on Enzo Maresca
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Pep Guardiola's influence on football extends far beyond his own teams. A slew of top managers in Europe have one thing in common: they've worked under Guardiola's guidance. This impressive list includes:
- Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
- Xabi Alonso (Bayer Leverkusen)
- Xavi (former Barcelona manager)
- Vincent Kompany (Bayern Munich manager)
- Erik ten Hag (Manchester United)
- Enzo Maresca (Chelsea)
Maresca was Manuel Pellegrini's assistant at West Ham before taking the reins of Manchester City's U23 team in August 2020.
Working closely with Guardiola, he achieved remarkable success, winning the Premier League 2 title and nurturing talents like Oscar Bobb, Roméo Lavia, and Cole Palmer. Palmer notably scored 13 goals in 16 games under Maresca's guidance.
After a brief stint with Parma in Serie B, Maresca returned to Manchester City as Guardiola's assistant for the 2022/23 season, which culminated in a historic treble win. This impressive credential has undoubtedly boosted Maresca's reputation in the football world.
Enzo Maresca - Style of play
Chelsea have had varying styles of play over the past three years.
The Blues have gone from Thomas Tuchel to Graham Potter, Frank Lampard and Mauricio Pochettino.
There needs to be a clear tactical approach, one that focuses on maximizing the most of the talent currently available.
Enzo Maresca's tactical approach prioritizes possession and positional play, as evident during his time at Leicester in the Championship.
His team's patient build-up from the back, involving the goalkeeper as a key player, allowed for a possession-heavy style without sacrificing goal-scoring opportunities. Leicester scored an impressive 89 goals, only surpassed by Ipswich.
Maresca's tactics feature a deep-lying playmaker to recycle possession and dictate the pace, with midfielders pushing forward to make runs behind the opposition's defense. Forwards stay high and wide, with the central striker dropping deep to support build-up.
When they lose the ball, Maresca's team presses quickly and high to regain possession, before dropping back into a 4-4-2 formation with a central midfielder pushing up alongside the striker to win the ball back.
Maresca's emphasis on control and positional play has shaped his team's identity, showcasing an attractive and effective brand of football.
5 reasons Enzo Maresca will succeed at Chelsea
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Success at the top level is never a given, especially in the English Premier League.
The Blues last won the title in 2017 under Antonio Conte and have not come close since then.
There is an acceptance that Maresca must be given time to work his magic.
Ahead of the new season, here are five reasons why we believe Maresca can lead the Blues to success on the pitch.
1. Proven Track Record: Maresca has already demonstrated his managerial prowess by winning the Championship with Leicester City, showcasing his ability to achieve success in English football.
2. Tactical Acumen: His possession-based approach and ability to adapt tactics to suit his players' strengths have impressed many, and his attention to detail could help Chelsea improve their overall performance.
3. Experience Working with Young Players: Maresca's success with Manchester City's U23 team and his development of young talents like Cole Palmer and Romeo Lavia suggest he can help Chelsea's youth players reach their full potential.
4. Connection to Pep Guardiola: Maresca's time working under Guardiola at Manchester City has likely influenced his managerial style, and his understanding of the Spaniard's tactics could help Chelsea become a winning machine.
5. Fresh Perspective: As a relatively new manager in the Premier League, Maresca brings a fresh perspective and new ideas to Chelsea, which could help revitalize the team and lead to success in the upcoming season.
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