Enzo Maresca: «Italy can no longer keep up with the pace of other countries. I worked with Guardiola and I see football through his eyes»
by Paolo Condò
The Chelsea manager opens up after leading the team back to the Champions League and winning the Conference League: "On individual motivation, Marcello Lippi was an unsurpassed master. Inzaghi must be proud of his work at Inter"
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Enzo Maresca 's WhatsApp profile does not feature a photo, but a famous football quote: "It is statistically proven that during a match, a player's average ball possession is 3 minutes. This means that his value is determined by what he does in the other 87 minutes.
" "It's a maxim by Johan Cruijff. I had it written on the walls of the Leicester dressing room two summers ago, and we won the Championship. Of course, I did it at Chelsea, too, and it didn't go badly this year either."
Didn't anyone challenge her? Didn't anyone come and tell her that champions solve games with a play?
"Maybe they discussed it among themselves, but I didn't hear a single protest. The phrase needs to be understood. It doesn't minimize the importance of talent, but it underlines how you can make yourself useful even when you don't see the ball much."
His Chelsea this year finished fourth in the Premier League and won the Conference. Were these the expected objectives?
"We are a year ahead of the Champions League qualification, they had asked me for it in two seasons. As for the Conference, it is natural that its appeal is less than the other cups, but as I said in the first meeting, if Chelsea had qualified for that one it means they deserved to play in that one. To win it, and we won it."
At the start of the season your squad was monstrous: 43 players. From whom did you learn to deal with so many players?
«Well, some left. We made strong choices, because they were all quality guys but the squad had to be reduced. On individual motivation, Marcello Lippi was an unsurpassed master. The ability he had to talk to each player, get into their head and motivate them in the way that was right for them, which is never the same as that of another, was exceptional. I try to do as he did. I try».
The average age of Chelsea is very young. Is that why, after the various disappointing experiences with Potter, Lampard and Pochettino, the owner Boehly chose you?
«The idea of making me grow together with the team was there, because I did well at Leicester and because I come from Guardiola's school, obviously».
Chelsea spends a lot.
"But now they invest well, in the direction that modern football is going. Enzo Fernandez and Caicedo were paid a lot, but no one remembers their price anymore because of how much they have grown. Before, a lot was spent on players over thirty who had already given their best".
Look, he is photographing Italian football today.
"The premise is that I don't want to give lessons to anyone. Having said that, the Champions League final photographed the dominance of a young team, capable of great technical plays expressed at an infernal pace, energy, running, pressing, offensive talent. Luis Enrique has built a spectacular PSG, in my own small way at Chelsea I try to do the same".
How does Inter come out of this discussion?
"Two Champions League finals in three years are an achievement, not a defeat. Inzaghi must be proud of his work, also because he carried it out in an ecosystem that is now different from the rest of the world. Only in Italy do we continue to think that young people are always too young and that experience linked to age is what makes you win matches. It's a cultural choice, which costs you in loss of energy. This is how I see it, Italian football can no longer keep up with the pace of other schools."
Does it also apply to the national team?
"Of course. The teams collect the work of the clubs, how can you ask to rejuvenate if the youngsters don't play? Chelsea spent to set up a squad of very young talents, but this didn't stop us from beating the record of the academy boys who made their debut in the first team. There were nine. We all have faith in them, and in the work of those who weaned them".
That's what she did in the first half at Manchester City.
"Let's name one: Cole Palmer. In the elite youth team at City I had to develop a superior talent, today at Chelsea I enjoy a supreme talent. And every day I try to improve him in something."
Between elite coach at City and assistant to Pep, he had an unhappy experience at Parma.
«Short but fundamental, you learn from your mistakes and I made some there. However, I was taken on for a three-year program and kicked out after three months: the team still took the three years foreseen to return to Serie A, and the young players I worked on then, Bernabé, Bonny, Mihaila, are still considered young today. You can see that with me they were children».
Will Guardiola recover?
"After 8 extraordinary seasons, he has made half a mistake, and you already doubt that he will be competitive again? Come on. But I am biased, after having had the opportunity to work with him, I confess that I see football through his eyes."
Will De Bruyne do well at Napoli?
"I know Kevin like the back of my hand, he will adapt quickly to Conte's requests and will add a lot to Napoli. Like all great champions, he has boundless pride. I certainly don't question players over 30 of a similar level. I simply try to put the energy of the boys around him."
Chelsea are about to leave for the Club World Cup. What happens if you get to the final on July 13?
"The only thing possible: the Premier League restarts on August 17, we gather on the 10th and do a normal work week, as if it were winter. It will take us a while to get back to full speed, but the players need holidays. And the coaches too, eh."
