As we look ahead to the start of the 2024/25 Premier League season, the latest iteration of Pep Guardiola’s coaching tree is ready to step into one of the most scrutinised jobs in world football.
After just one season, Chelsea parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino and has been on the hunt for his successor.
They cite a desire for a young, progressive manager who could contrast Argentina’s ‘antiquated’ tactical style.
Therefore, the Blues have appointed Enzo Maresca as the man to rectify Chelsea’s future.
The Italian is coming off a successful EFL Championship-winning season with Leicester.
Coming from the Guardiola school, Maresca has cemented his own tactical style as one of positional play and possessional dominance.
His ability to completely overhaul a relegated Leicester side before propelling them to promotion at the first attempt will certainly put him in great stead when tackling the balance of this Chelsea team and accommodating its key figures.
The most interesting aspect of this appointment would have to be the speed at which Chelsea’s current squad can adapt to his nuanced and rigid tactics.
Maresca is expected to be under hierarchical pressure from the outset.
Their inability to find the winning formula until the turn of the year ultimately cost Pochettino his job.
This Enzo Maresca tactical analysis and scout report will begin to highlight how we could expect Maresca to set up with Chelsea next season, highlighting key tactics both in and out of possession.
Our analysis will also delve into the dangerously inflated Chelsea squad to determine which players may be sacrificed and who could potentially come in to support the Maresca rebuild.
Enzo Maresca Tactics In Possession
Taking inspiration from his tactical systems at Leicester, Chelsea would be expected to line up in the 4-3-3 on paper, with a single pivot used to allow the two advanced eights to invoke chaos between the lines and attacking the final third.
However, on the pitch, Marescas formation has deployed one of his wide defenders in the inverted full-back role, supporting the single pivot and promoting his idea of dominating and controlling the middle third.
This creates more of a 3-2-5, which we have seen utilised greatly amongst modern progressive managers.
Seeing how Maresca tackles these tactical decisions in pre-season will be interesting.
Will he aim to instill his philosophies immediately or conform to a more familiar and basic tactical setup to avoid a disappointing start?
Enzo Marescas style of play, which introduced the inverted role, will certainly delight and disdain those vying for the starting berth in a squad riddled with full-backs.
In previous seasons, Chelsea’s overlapping full-back tactics have suited the likes of Ben Chilwell and Malo Gusto, but will they be able to quickly adapt ahead of those already more suited to playing further infield?
Reece Jamess versatility places him in good stead.
He inverted frequently at Wigan and additionally operates well as a right-sided central defender should he be asked to offer a more reassuring defensive presence.
It would, therefore, lead us to suggest that we could expect Chelsea’s inverted full-back coming from the left-hand side, with both Marc Cucurella and Ian Maatsen growing into the role in 2024.
Having propelled Dortmund to a spot in the Champions League final, Maatsen’s comfortability in the double pivot could see Chelsea lose the Dutchman permanently should the German side exercise the necessary clause in his loan agreement.
This leaves Marc Cucurella to assume the starting role, having developed the necessary traits and qualities in a late resurgence under Pochettino when partnering with Moisés Caicedo in midfield.
One of Maresca’s standout traits would be that his sides are incredibly press-resistant in their early build-up due to the unpredictability of their movement and ability to find passing lanes.
When there are three central defenders in the 3-2-5, the goalkeeper often steps up to create an additional outlet and briefly creates a four-man defence.
