The template to Enzo Maresca’s success at Chelsea

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Italian gaffer Enzo Maresca took up the succession role available on the departure of Mauricio Pochettino from Chelsea FC. Fresh off navigating a successful Leicester City promotion campaign just a season after their demotion, the tactician has taken up a new challenge in the West of London.

While the former Parma manager will not lead the foxes into the English first division, he has the plus of taking over at a bigger club with the side attraction of a taste of European football. To succeed at Chelsea, indeed there are certain issues to be tended to for Enzo Maresca.

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Fractured dressing room

First off, the Italian must find a way to secure his dressing room. The events following Argentina’s latest Copa America victory that went up on Enzo Fernandez’s social media page kick started a series of reaction in the footballing world.

Where it comes dicey is the heft contingent of French players in the Chelsea squad. A condemning video went up on Wesley Fofana’s page while the likes of Benoit Badiashile, Axel Disasi, Malo Gusto and Lesley Ugochukwu all also rumoredly joined in unfollowing the midfielder on Instagram. Although the midfielder tended an apology, it is still left to see if that would be enough to mend the relationship amongst players.

Catch the cold

Cole Palmer in his first Premier League season in the Blues colour was unarguably the club’s most important player. The Englishman racked up the most goal involvements across the league campaign at the expense of Erling Haaland, Ollie Watkins, Mo Salah and the likes.

Sadly not enough to secure him a starting spot on Gareth Southgate’s first team sheet. Regardless, his performances off the bench just more than reminded his quality. Braved the pressure and converted the important first penalty against Switzerland, assisted the Ollie Watkins winner in the semis and a sumptuous finish of his to get the Three Lions back in the game against Spain.

Over the years, there’s been more concern over Chelsea’s forward line but Cole Palmer himself presents a core around which that offensive line can be centered.

Injuries and fitness

Either by luck or an overhaul of the team’s medical department, the Italian requires a much needed breath of fresh air in this fold. Wesley Fofana has been in and out of the treatment room as a result of a long term injury and complication.

Club captain Reece James and his deputy Ben Chilwell have shared similar fortunes in and out of the first team squad. French forward Christopher Nkunku signed to initially lead the Mauricio Pochettion era rarely found playing time to come by last campaign.

Enzo Fernandez also had to miss the concluding part of the campaign to tend to an injury concern as well. To enforce a playing style in a new team, you’ll more than need the bulk of your squad to be fully fit and as it stands Maresca would hope for much more as he his welcomed to the Premier League with a baptism of fire against former acquaintance Josep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

Tags: Enzo Maresca, #Chelsea FC, #NRTCSPORT, Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, Enzo Fernandez, Wesley Fofana, #PremierLeague