Good Morning Ladies and Gents,
Today I am writing an opinion piece on the situation around Enzo Maresca.
Firstly I have been very patient through the season and quite often defended Enzo Maresca and the time he needs to grow into the role and teach his tactics and philosophy to the players and implement his thoughts into the club as a whole.
It’s only in the last month or so that I have changed my opinion on our Gaffer and now believe that he isn’t the man to take us further. This coincides with a lot of people who have now started to believe that Maresca needs more time due to our form and more importantly the style we have played in our last 4/5 games.
My main issues with Maresca are threefold;
Issue 1: “I promise you we didn’t plan to play deep, we planned to play the other way that we usually do but we are happy we played good” he said that after Sunday’s win over Liverpool.
This is my biggest issue, when we have played well at any point this season it’s because the players are not doing what he is coaching them to do. If he could just swallow his pride a little and accept that these players are not cut out for his philosophy he would then realise that we could be such a good team playing a different brand of football to the one he prefers. His coaching ability is definitely good enough to mould this team into a different style, its his pride that needs to be swallowed and his philosophy that needs tweaking.
Issue 2: Sort of leans to the first point but its his media presence and character, I find him really good in the media occasionally especially recently when calling for more experience, but at other times he comes across like having a loser/weak mentality and not one we are used to seeing at the helm of this football club.
Issue 3: Is sort of system based, but also its his philosophy as well. I mentioned on the podcast last week and for anyone that listened you’ll have heard me rant about it, but, in football these days its the centre backs generally that have the most touches and make the most passes, in our case we end up with a defender in really advanced no.10 positions or even in a striker role at times, Cucurella predominantly in the last few months has occupied this. We attack in like a 3-2-5 or 3-1-6 shape which is usually built up of 5 attackers consisting of 2 midfielders Cucurella and 2/3 attackers. For me just let the good players have the ball and let defenders defend. take the leash off of Cole Palmer and let him roam and pick up any spaces he wants, let Enzo Fernandez carry on crashing the box (as he already does), allow a full back to get high and wide and attack with freedom.
These are the main reasons I think it is the wrong time for Enzo Maresca at the elite level, BUT, I do actually think in the future he will be an elite manager for an elite side, he needs time to learn and grow into that role, refine his philosophy and tactics & establish his own media personality and character.
Chelsea are a club that thrive in chaos, often organised chaos, a club that are pragmatic and direct, these things do not suit Maresca’s philosophy and style but are things that a lot of us expect to see from our team, another club would thrive under Maresca, a club that suits his principles more and that have a more passing style rooted in their core.
He has improved quite a few of our players, off the top of my head; Enzo Fernandez, Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke. These players have all improved and become more consistent under his tutelage, he has also given so many academy debuts and promoted Josh Acheampong & Tyrique George to the first team dressing room permanently. We are definitely better defensively than we were last season although there is still a lot of improvement to be had in that area.
An issue that every Chelsea manager comes up against is ‘The Low-Block’ and it is something we have really struggled to unpick at times. The 2 Ipswich games spring to mind and the 5 points we dropped there, with those we would be almost confirmed in the UCL with 3 games to play. It is such fine margins as the manager of Chelsea FC.
To summarise, I believe that Maresca has helped us take a step forward but I am not sure he can take us much further unless he changes the issues I state above. If he can adapt and tweak his philosophy he could take us even further forward but I dont believe he will be willing to do so. Regardless of how this season ends we have taken a step forward and it could and probably should end up being UCL qualification and a European trophy, which all of us would have taken at the start of the season.
I am interested to hear all of your opinions in the comments!
Thanks for reading.
Luke Rushbrook
Completely agree that Chelsea as a club is suited to more a direct, pragmatic style of play. The only question is which manager can come in and elevate us whilst bringing that faster more direct style? And whilst being a strong enough character. We all loved Tuchel but I did find his football, after his first 6 months so in 21/22 season, some of the slowest and most predictable we’ve ever played. Before we hired Poch my number one was Nagelsmann as I think he is adaptable in his tactics, but I can’t see the club going for him now. Curious to see which managers other people think would suit us.
I agree about the style of play and his media presence, but at this point I'm keeping him, especially if he achieves his targets.
1) I think the bigger issue this season has been the squad building. We've needed a proper back-up to Jackson since last season. He hasn't had it. Likewise, goalscoring wingers would have helped carry the load during Palmer's/Nico's dip in form and injury.
2) We're creating plenty of chances, even against low blocks. I think if we get those clinical players up top, all of a sudden this system looks more effective and enjoyable. Goals change games, as they say - normally we should be 2 or 3 goals up by the time we score or concede. Finish those, teams have to come out and play, the game opens up and our individual quality should win out.
3) Defensively we're MUCH better. That's a good foundation to build on.
4) Links back to my first point, but injuries to players like Lavia. I know every squad faces this, but we're a different team with him in the side. Having more midfield depth next season should make him more replaceable, keep Enzo and Caicedo fresher, and help us rotate without suffering as much.
5) I don't think we as fans really know what we don't like - Sarri's football had the same teething problems, but we only saw it for one season. Once everything clicks and we add some more quality to the squad, I feel like it might change, become more enjoyable (easier when we're winning, of course, whatever anyone said.
6) Grass isn't always greener, especially with who we have making the decisions. Next manager might take us back again, or alienate the players we want to keep by creating more change and unrest.
Either way, I hope we have a strong end to the season. At this point, I want to see if Maresca can build on his style and improve us with the right backing and time. Maybe the season after that, we reevaluate.