Enzo Maresca has turned Chelsea into club world champions, finished second in the Premier League and even flown to Europe, so why isn’t he respected more?
Enzo Maresca turned Chelsea into world champions in his first season, winning European trophies and qualifying for the Champions League.
Still, Chelsea fans don’t sing his name. They still don’t know much about the manager, whose work at Stamford Bridge doesn’t seem to be getting the credit it deserves.
They are set to face leaders Arsenal this weekend, who are second in the Premier League table and had a sensational win over Barcelona in the Champions League.
Maresca is a very good tactician who managed his team with great effect, structuring and winning one-off matches, resulting in the Club World Cup and the European Conference League trophy.
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So the question is, is he underrated? And why? It certainly feels that way, even when fellow Italian and Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola speaks on his behalf.
Zola said this week: “Enzo Maresca not only made the team play very good football, but he also balanced the team and helped us win games. I have to say that I’m impressed with his work.”
“I watched him play for his previous team, Leicester, and I liked what he said. I was curious to see what he could do at Chelsea and he seems to be successful. He’s going in the right direction.”
That’s probably one of the key factors. He is from Leicester City. The other thing is that he is definitely an unapproachable guy. I don’t come back often. It’s not just the sound bites. It’s important to engage, excite, and connect with your fans.
They were used to big-time managers such as Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and Carlo Ancelotti during the Roman Abramovich era. Big name players too. Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, John Terry.
Now, the hierarchy of co-owners Behdad Egbari and Todd Boley is taking the club in a different direction. Young players, a deliberate revolving door transfer door policy, and long-term contracts.
They clearly wanted a manager who was good at nurturing and developing young players. Maresca is doing just that. But perhaps that ties him too closely to a class less popular than the previous administration.
Fanzine editor Dave Johnston, a lifelong fan who goes home and back every week, said: “I’m sure the fans have never sung his name. When Jose came back they sang his name. If he comes back with Coventry it will be a welcome addition to Frank Lampard as well.”
“Look at the names we have had in the past: Jose, Ancelotti, Conte. Maresca is from Leicester and is not a big name, but he has the right reputation from these players.”
“But you have to say when you get one bad result. The fans highlight his decision-making and substitutions. There are 40,000 managers at Stamford Bridge. Things were going well and then you have a bad result, like the draw at Qarabag.”
“Chelsea fan David Mellor once said: “We can still beat the best teams, but we still have teams that can beat the worst.”Chelsea were great against Barcelona, but how much of that was down to the players?
“He’s not a very charismatic manager, but I like the fact that he’s a manager who lets his players go to the away end after the game. It means a lot to the fans. I loved the passion he had when he ran down the touchline against Liverpool. Overall, he’s doing well.”
Maresca can be brusque at press conferences. But do fans really care? I agree. Because that’s when managers can really get their message across and show their personality. Jose’s entire personality was built there. We still don’t know who Maresca is.
He definitely cares and thinks about what is being written and said. He debriefs with athletic directors and executives after every game. Often before he goes into a press conference.
Maresca claims that it happens after every match win, loss or draw. But when there is a defeat, it suddenly becomes an unwanted topic.
He has a pedigree having played for Juventus and worked under Josep Guardiola at Manchester City. He improved the players and the dynamics. The midfield partnership of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandes didn’t always work. It is now a great strength.
He builds the team brilliantly. When no one was praying for Chelsea in the Club World Cup final, a tactical masterclass of high pressing, high energy and formation defeated Paris Saint-Germain.
This season they beat Liverpool and Barcelona at Stamford Bridge. Perhaps Maresca will be loved if he does the same against Arsenal. However, there is no doubt that things will change quickly if they lose against Leeds three days later.
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