The Maresca Project at Chelsea: Progress Report

Twelve months prior, following 11 fixtures, Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea occupied the 10th position in the Premier League standings. This ranking came even after what was then their most significant victory of the season, a 4-1 triumph against a nine-man Tottenham side. The team had previously suffered home defeats to Brentford, Nottingham Forest, and Aston Villa, in addition to an away loss against West Ham. Currently, after 11 matches, Enzo Maresca’s team sits in third place, having only experienced defeats against two clubs from the previous season’s top three: Manchester City and Liverpool. The advancement is evident, with many Blues supporters believing their current points tally of 19 could be marginally greater. Specifically, 1-1 home draws against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace have been notable points of dissatisfaction. Securing victories in both those encounters would have propelled them into second position, surpassing Manchester City, heading into the November international break. While certain aspects require enhancement—specifically, a defense that has allowed 13 goals to date, compared to 12 at the same point last season—the development under Enzo Maresca is clearly in progress. Only Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Brentford have registered more goals than Chelsea’s 21, which represents an increase of four goals compared to their tally after 11 matches a year prior. Furthermore, for the first time in at least two seasons, a distinct tactical approach is discernible during play. When in possession, Moises Caicedo positions himself as part of a double pivot, while the wingers push high and wide to create additional room for central attacking plays. Cole Palmer operates either on the left or right side behind Nicolas Jackson, and one of the full-backs, frequently Malo Gusto, advances into the number 10 role. Recently, Romeo Lavia has solidified his place alongside Caicedo in the midfield pivot, and Pedro Neto has made a compelling case for a starting position on either wing in attack, notably demonstrated by his excellent goal in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal. When not in possession, Maresca instructs his players to maintain a compact shape, avoiding dropping excessively deep, thereby compelling opponents to attack wide. As observed in the match against Arsenal, assertive full-backs such as Marc Cucurella can then press, mirroring his actions against Bukayo Saka. Despite the extensive squad depth, vividly showcased by the ‘B’ team’s 8-0 victory against Noah in the Conference League, Maresca aims to have two players available for every position, and his Premier League starting elevens typically feature only one or two changes. This consistency has been significantly supported by a reduced number of injuries compared to the previous season. However, the prevailing sense of stability at Stamford Bridge stems from both a consistent starting lineup and the composed, clear, and uncomplicated approach of the Italian manager.