Enzo Maresca Thread

[Vesper 30,085]

Si Phillips Talks Chelsea

The winners and losers of Chelsea's change in style.....

My thoughts on who will benefit and who will lose out from the appointment of Enzo Maresca

https://siphillipstalkschelsea.substack.com/p/the-winners-and-losers-of-chelseas

 

Good Afternoon Ladies and Gents,

Today I am going to summarise who I think the biggest winners and losers are from the appointment of Enzo Maresca.

I am doing this purely from a stylistic point of view and who I think will gain or suffer from the change of style within the club.

LOSERS;

Ben Chilwell;

I love Chilly, I have been very vocal in my support of him on this site, when he is fit he is one of the best left backs in world football. Chilly has a couple of causes for concern, firstly his injury record in the last 3 years has been woeful, if he cannot stay fit he is not worth having around anymore in my opinion, that pains me to say. His other big issue is the new style we will be imposing, it does not suit Chilly’s game in the slightest for me, he is a direct, counter attacking full back/wing back which is the opposite of what Enzo Maresca will require.

Robert Sanchez;

It is widely noted that Enzo Maresca wants a new GK as a priority, Sanchez found himself as 2nd choice GK after his initial injury displaced him and Djordje Petrovic’s decent form kept him out of the team whenever he was fit, Maresca (as Si reported) has already sung the praises of Petrovic who will be keen to challenge whoever the incoming GK may be, that leaves Sanchez as a spare part and probably on the transfer list.

Axel Disasi;

He is a solid centre back, aggressive, physical and a huge presence. He is far too slow on the ball and lacks the progressive and patient nature that Enzo Maresca will require from his centre backs, a bench option in the coming season would be my guess.

Conor Gallagher;

Con was probably on his way out of the door before the arrival of Maresca, I think that will only be confirmed later in the summer, he would actually work in the Maresca system but Chelsea are more than likely going to cash in on him this summer and I think his game time would reduce under Maresca with the new gaffer likely to prefer Lavia, Enzo, Caicedo, Chukwuemeka, Palmer & Nkunku in the midfield roles.

WINNERS:

Marc Cucurella;

Take me back a few months I never would have said Cucurella would be the one likely to stay over Chilwell, but here we are and I think it is more probable that Cucu stays at the club. He has a lot of attributes that Maresca will like and will be a good rotation option with a new left back expected to arrive this summer.

Romeo Lavia/Cole Palmer;

Having both worked with Maresca before they are a step ahead of the rest, already knowing the gaffer and the way he plays along with the fact we know he will be making both focal points in his team.

Reece James;

Reece will flourish under Maresca even further, he can play as a bombing full back, an inverted full back or even in one of the 8 positions. He can do all of that from a starting position of Right Back, see diagrams below of the way I can see Reece inverting, the first picture is the “starting formation”. The next is a structure of Reece inverting, showing he can either invert into the pivot or he can invert with Caicedo dropping into the pivot with Reece playing in the 8 in attack, Caicedo has experience of covering Right Back at Brighton which could benefit us having Reece in the final 3rd. I will elaborate further on the tactical flexibility and tactical rotation in an article next week.

[robsblubot 3,595]

2 hours ago, Clockwork said:

Pep compared Lavia to a Basquets type midfielder, Enzo played in a possesion style midfield in Benfica, Caicedo played under De Zerbi and was wanted by Arsenal. Gallagher might not be a great fit for Maresca, but i won't surprised if he becomes a main player under him.

Mudryk was also wanted by Arsenal, and players like Noni are utilized in those type of football.

Clearly there are players that are not a good fit for possession football.

City are a possession side but tbh, if they played Pep Barca they would have trouble getting on the ball. I do not think any team can replicate possession football as Barca and Spain did a decade ago. 

Disasi is terrible, he has no place in a direct side or possession side.

Why would you think Conor would work in his system? mobility? I do think he has the mobility, but not the skill or passing ability.

Disagreed on Noni and Mudryk. I've seen enough of Mudryk now and any expectations we (or Arsenal) might have had should no longer matter. Noni, I don't see the tight control for that type of style. Coming off the bench, sure, but not a player to rely on to retain possession.

Sterling may be just too lazy now for that system. Could he be motivated back into fitness?

Agreed on Enzo, but he must be available. Did not mention Cole because he's obviously a perfect fit.

I haven't seen Lavia, but heard he's a very good player. Is it a one-time thing or is he just another injury-prone player we got? He's young enough that we may not know yet.
Caicedo is no Mikel, thankfully, but I honestly don't see all that passing ability you guys talk about. Ugo is a pretty poor option for when Caicedo can't play -- remember he's Ecuador player.

I actually think Jackson will work well in that system; and he might actually improve his game the most if he listens and adapts to the new philosophy. e.g. that system will naturally remove the quirks from his game.

The main requirement for this system to work is that all players (including goalie) need to be at least good passers. A single Disasi in the mix and that play from the back goes down the drain. That includes the bench as well!

2 hours ago, Clockwork said:

We have players that are huge availability concern, but that is nothing to do with style. 

I do have concerns like if they wanted this type of football, some of the signings they have made don't make sense. But so does a lot of things they have done. 

 

It does a bit tho. That system relies on high intensity and a lot of sprinting.

I do think the team is pretty poor esp considering the amount spent; we've overspent all other PL clubs with really nothing to show for it. It's definitely fixable, but reckon it will take more than the 2-3 signing people have been talking about. Midfield also needs a player -- perhaps 2 if Conor is sold. Hopefully signing players requested, or at least vetted, by the new manager too.

[Special Juan 28,091]

all docs are being signed now, could be announced today

[Mhsc 1,091]

6 hours ago, robsblubot said:

Why would you think Conor would work in his system? mobility? I do think he has the mobility, but not the skill or passing ability.

Conor is world class off the ball and at leading the press, as well as being a leader on the field, two things managers often prioritise despite fan expectations.

I do think it is certainly not guaranteed he will be a key player anymore without Poch (and may get sold) but after thinking about it, wouldn't be surprised at all if he actually ended up being a key player, simply seen it so many times that managers will stick by players who have qualities like Conor's even if they're lacking in other areas, it is because they help so much out of possession that we get our chance to be in possession and that is ultimately what this guy wants.

[JFKvsNixon 53]

On 31/05/2024 at 01:06, robsblubot said:

Is it a case of being delusional or pure arrogance based on the amount of money (mis)spent ?

What else are they meant to say? There was no one else available so we've taken a punt on him, fingers crossed it'll work out.

[robsblubot 3,595]

8 hours ago, JFKvsNixon said:

What else are they meant to say? There was no one else available so we've taken a punt on him, fingers crossed it'll work out.

Fair enough it is a point I usually make when reading too much into press confs.

the “dominate” bit was a bit much tho.

[robsblubot 3,595]

1 hour ago, robsblubot said:

Fair enough it is a point I usually make when reading too much into press confs.

the “dominate” bit was a bit much tho.

“Elite force” rather (edit is gone).

[ZAPHOD2319 4,799]

 

[robsblubot 3,595]

man 6 staff members... I'm old school 😃

Remember when it was Manager and his assistant, and *maybe* his fav fitness coach.

[ZAPHOD2319 4,799]

 

[Blue Armour 4,436]

8 hours ago, ZAPHOD2319 said:

 

Hope this works out well for him and the club.

[bigbluewillie 1,930]

7 hours ago, robsblubot said:

man 6 staff members... I'm old school 😃

Remember when it was Manager and his assistant, and *maybe* his fav fitness coach.

Also bruv, don’t miss the...

+ inheriting club specialists. 

So we’ve got specialist have we?🤠