Enzo Maresca Thread

[Special Juan 27,419]

13 minutes ago, King Kante said:

I prefer Diet Pep. 

Pep off WISH

[ZAPHOD2319 4,466]

😂

 

[TheHulk 1,847]

Like they picked the perfect candidates with Potter and Poch 🤣

[robsblubot 3,496]

2 minutes ago, TheHulk said:

Like they picked the perfect candidates with Potter and Poch 🤣

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

Edited May 31 by robsblubot

[Vesper 28,715]

11 hours ago, ZAPHOD2319 said:

😂

 

pure troll account it looks like

will say anything to get noticed and to shit-stir

[Vesper 28,715]

Enzo Maresca: Why Chelsea have made Leicester boss new head coach

Enzo Maresca is set to become Chelsea's new head coach, replacing Mauricio Pochettino; The 'Marescalator' will take charge at Stamford Bridge after just 67 games in management, and one full season in English football with Leicester City in the Championship

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/13144295/enzo-maresca-why-Chelsea-have-made-leicester-boss-new-head-coach

When Enzo Maresca arrived at Leicester last summer, he made a small but symbolic change to the club's training ground - to remember Claudio Ranieri.

At the entrance to their Seagrave set-up, players arrived to see images on the walls of Leicester's FA Cup and Community Shield victories in 2021. But there was no recognition of the miraculous 2016 Premier League triumph. Maresca decided to put Ranieri's title win on the wall alongside those achievements.

The move was less of a surprise given Ranieri was one of the first people to call Maresca when the Italian was handed the Foxes job last year. But perhaps another call is needed, as Maresca takes on another of Ranieri's former clubs in Chelsea.

Despite having managed less than 70 senior matches, just 53 in England and none in the Premier League, Maresca is set to become Mauricio Pochettino's successor at Stamford Bridge after agreeing terms on a five-year deal. Even so, he arrives with high expectations.

The 44-year-old will take on the job in similar circumstances to when Ranieri arrived in 2000 - with demands to reach the Champions League.

Pochettino's surprise departure from Stamford Bridge largely boiled down to the Blues missing out on the top four. Chelsea's owners watched last month's Champions League semi-finals wondering why such a stage was not within the club's reach.

But despite his relative inexperience, Chelsea do not just see Maresca as a manager capable of getting them into Europe's premier club competition. They want an attractive style of football, based on possession and dominance.

His attachment and schooling within the Pep Guardiola philosophy plays a major part in their thinking. A Manchester City-lite style of play is what Maresca has brought to Leicester during his year at the King Power.

That same patient play which ranks Guardiola's side bottom of the Premier League for forward-pass proportion year after year was embedded almost overnight - in the Championship only Southampton's percentage was lower than Leicester's last season.

"Maresca is so embedded in that Guardiola style of play that he was always going to attract interest when he was able to make that style successful - and that's what he's done at Leicester," Jordan Blackwell, Leicester correspondent at the Leicester Mercury, told Sky Sports.

"It felt like the club had thought outside the box to bring Maresca in, a man with a lot of tactical knowledge whose acumen has been raved about. That's not only as Pep's assistant but with Man City U21s and a first-team coach at West Ham."

The similarities between Pep-ball and the man known as the 'Marescalator' are noticeable. For example, Leicester brought in an effective use of inverted full-backs under the Italian this season.

Ricardo Pereira, the rampaging right-back Premier League audiences remember from two years ago, operated in the middle of the pitch in Maresca's season at Leicester.

But Maresca actually went one step further when it comes to his full-backs. If the Italian would rather invert a full-back from the left wing, then Pereira would simply swap flanks with his opposite defender, leaving opponents guessing as to Leicester's shape.

A good example came when Pereira moved over during a 4-1 win over Huddersfield - a match where the Portuguese full-back ended up with a goal and an assist.

This tactical tweak could be a good fit for Chelsea, who deployed Marc Cucurella as an inverted left-back during the season run-in. From the moment the Spaniard's position was tweaked at half-time of Chelsea's match with Aston Villa in April, the Blues won every single game.

Building from the back is another key feature of both Guardiola's and Maresca's games. One of the Italian's first signings was goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, who not only became one of the Championship's top shot-stoppers, but was also comfortable with his feet.

Maresca would allow Hermansen to venture out of his goal to give an extra player in the build-up and form a back two with Jannik Vestegaard. Such moves would end with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall providing the finishing touch at the other end of the pitch, with the Leicester midfielder ending the Championship season with 12 goals and four assists.

The identity of Chelsea's chief creator under Maresca is yet to be known, but signs could point towards a certain Cole Palmer, given the Italian oversaw his progression from youth prospect to first-team player at Manchester City as their Elite Development Squad manager.

Elsewhere in the final third, Maresca - like Guardiola and another disciple in Mikel Arteta - uses wingers who fall under the category of 'one-on-one explorers'.

Stephy Mavididi and Abdul Fatawu had the most one-on-one duels in the Championship last season. These are categories that the likes of Jeremy Doku, Jack Grealish, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli have dominated in the Premier League in recent years.

Maresca is, like Guardiola, wedded to his style. He lives or dies by it. In the end, that has proven successful, but it is also why he will leave some detractors in the King Power stands despite leading them to the Championship title.

A 3-1 win over Swansea in January took the Foxes 10 points clear at the top of the table. But it was overshadowed by Maresca's barbed post-match comments, after the Italian was less than impressed with a lack of support from the terraces.

"Probably people think it's easy to win games, but it's not easy," he said. "You can feel the fans when they're not happy. Probably some people take some things for granted. But it's not like this.

"I arrived at this club to play with this idea. The moment there is some doubt about the idea, the day after, I will leave. It's so clear. No doubts."

Perhaps it was the inevitable growing expectations. Perhaps the lack of jeopardy mixed with the playing style just fostered a degree of apathy; Leicester had won 22 of 29 league matches at the time of his comments.

But the growing lack of a Plan B would go on to cause further exasperation around the club, especially on a run of 10 points from as many games between mid-February and April.

"Fans were thinking the club was eight months into the season now, clubs were learning how Leicester play and how to stop it, but Maresca wasn't doing anything to get past it," said Blackwell.

"They kept playing the same way. But that is him. He's decided what the best way of playing is, the most successful way, and he's not going to change it.

"He says he has a Plan B, but it has been Pereira playing as a No 10 when he moves into midfield rather than as a sitting midfielder."

This is not to take anything away from Maresca's methods. Harry Winks, who has worked under Pochettino, Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho, has called him the best manager he has ever played for.

"The Leicester players have spoken about feeling a bit stupid when he came in, he was teaching things they'd never considered or thought about, totally different ways of thinking about the game," added Blackwell.

It took several months for his new side to fully get their heads around the consistent and relentless demands of his playing style, but his methods were evident and becoming ingrained even in a first pre-season friendly with Peterborough in early July.

Given those demands, Maresca was efficient at getting his message across. Winks himself noted another win over Swansea, only Leicester's 12th league game of the campaign and their 11th victory, as the moment where things really began to click.

Despite falling 1-0 down in South Wales, the Foxes stuck to their style, refused to be rushed, and wore their hosts down before emerging comfortable winners.

That determination, sometimes crossing the line into stubbornness, is unlikely to change at Stamford Bridge. But Maresca's public persona may have to, if he is to survive longer than his Todd Boehly-era predecessors.

The same evening Leicester wrapped up the Championship title, he used his position of strength to announce unprompted he wanted to sit down with Leicester's owners to discuss things he "didn't like" from the season.

The Foxes' rocky financial situation has been tempered by the embarrassment of riches in his squad, but communication issues with those above him have been a bugbear for the Italian all season.

They came to a head on Deadline Day in January when Stefano Sensi's proposed move from Inter Milan was called off at, literally, the 11th hour. The scale of the issues which led to the Premier League charging Leicester with FFP breaches, and the potential points deduction facing the club next season, were also seemingly kept from him.

"If Chelsea are looking for a yes man, he's not that person," said Blackwell. "He will say things in the media the club would probably be kept private.

"If you've got a manager who's willing to do public power plays in the media, that would put some clubs off. It doesn't seem to align with what Chelsea seem to want - but he is a pure coach.

"He's been quick to say he doesn't want more control, he's happy with his job being on the training pitch, organising the team tactically. He just wants to know what's going on."

In the new manager requirements set out by the Chelsea board, one of the categories included being 'able to compete with Guardiola and Arteta'.

Whether Maresca can guide the Blues to those heights is a major talking point, but if Boehly is looking for a disciple of the much-admired pair, he has found one in the Italian.

Edited May 31 by Vesper

[Artandur 939]

It's kinda fun to see all these analyses pop up of how Marescas style might translate to our squad. Been a while since we had a manager who had such a clear tactical philosophy, where that would even be possible

[robsblubot 3,496]

1 hour ago, Artandur said:

It's kinda fun to see all these analyses pop up of how Marescas style might translate to our squad. Been a while since we had a manager who had such a clear tactical philosophy, where that would even be possible

yes and those type of managers, who have a clear philosophy and no plan B, need to play a part in building the squad. "passing from the back with Disasi" would make for very entertaining Netflix content.
That, and the fact that he is a drastic change from the previous 2 managers in style, makes me think this is not really that well planned eh.

[Gundalf 804]

90% of the squad fits very well for Maresca's style already (the CB pairing of Colwill/Fofana - if he can be fit - would be ideal for Maresca), and the ones who dont will get addressed in the transfer window. We are already in for a GK, CB and striker.

Edited May 31 by Gundalf

[robsblubot 3,496]

1 hour ago, Gundalf said:

90% of the squad fits very well for Maresca's style already (the CB pairing of Colwill/Fofana - if he can be fit - would be ideal for Maresca), and the ones who dont will get addressed in the transfer window. We are already in for a GK, CB and striker.

Fofana is a fad buddy... won't play. James has been struggling for what 2-3 full seasons now? Others like Nkunku are unknowns fitness wise, but Nkunku injury history isn't clean. We hope Lavia was a one-time thing. Chilwell is evidently injury-prone as well. Disasi won't go anywhere with his wages and contract.

The Wingers who played more towards the end of the season, Mudryk and Noni, are extremely direct players. I'm not even going into good enough here, just characteristics.

The midfield is where we will disagree the most about: how someone sees it as a possession oriented midfield is beyond me. I suspect we will see changes there too tho.

I just see a drastic difference from the type o players we went after and the type of players City (and Arsenal) go after. 🤷‍♂️

[Clockwork 1,794]

16 minutes ago, robsblubot said:

Fofana is a fad buddy... won't play. James has been struggling for what 2-3 full seasons now? Others like Nkunku are unknowns fitness wise, but Nkunku injury history isn't clean. We hope Lavia was a one-time thing. Chilwell is evidently injury-prone as well. Disasi won't go anywhere with his wages and contract.

The Wingers who played more towards the end of the season, Mudryk and Noni, are extremely direct players. I'm not even going into good enough here, just characteristics.

The midfield is where we will disagree the most about: how someone sees it as a possession oriented midfield is beyond me. I suspect we will see changes there too tho.

I just see a drastic difference from the type o players we went after and the type of players City (and Arsenal) go after. 🤷‍♂️

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.

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. 

 

[Thor 2,392]

Some people here think our players suck, would be mid table and aren't suited to any style of play. 

Others can appreciate the fact we came 6th, and should have been 4th/5th if it wasn't for some dodgy calls against us - and in a season we suffered all these injuries and had no continuity. 

Players like Caceido and Enzo aren't suited in a possession side yet both played and excelled when they were in the top possession type sides in the league... Lavia is a City product as well... I wonder how he would fare in possession football...

Palmer? I don't even know if this bloke has heard of possession football. Same with Colwill...

Some people will be pessimistic regardless. We won the CL 3 years ago to this day. It hasn't even been a big drop off like people are making it. Just a different type of reset, and things have been on the up. Now doing it with younger players, and a vision for more sustainability in the long run. But nah, we suck.

[Vesper 28,715]

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 3,496]

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 27,419]

all docs are being signed now, could be announced today

[Mhsc 869]

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 35]

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 3,496]

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.