July 08, (THEWILL) – In a bid to revitalise Chelsea’s fortunes, newly appointed coach, Enzo Maresca, has outlined his vision for a more aggressive and dynamic team. The 44-year-old Italian, who recently guided Leicester City to English Premier League promotion, is determined to inject fresh energy into the Blues following their underwhelming 2023/2024 season.
Chelsea, twice UEFA Champions League winners, struggled to maintain their usual standards last season, spending much of the campaign in mid-table obscurity. A late resurgence under former manager, Mauricio Pochettino, salvaged a sixth-place finish, securing a UEFA Europa Conference League qualification. However, this fell short of the club’s lofty ambitions, prompting a change in leadership.
Maresca, speaking at his first press conference on Monday, emphasised the importance of cultivating the right mentality and culture at Stamford Bridge. “We need to create as soon as possible the right mentality and culture, a culture the fans can be proud of,” he stated. The new coach is keen to implement an aggressive playing style both on and off the ball, aiming to forge a strong connection between the team and its supporters, particularly during home fixtures.
As Chelsea’s seventh Italian manager, Maresca joins an illustrious lineage that includes Carlo Ancelotti, Antonio Conte, and Roberto Di Matteo, who collectively secured six major trophies for the London club. The new appointment also harks back to Gianluca Vialli, the Premier League’s first Italian manager, who led Chelsea to their inaugural UCL appearance. Maresca expressed pride in continuing this Italian legacy, noting, “There is something between Chelsea as a club, as a family, and Italian people that works well.”
The 2024/2025 season opener will see Maresca face a baptism of fire as Chelsea take on reigning champions, Manchester City. This match holds additional significance for Maresca, who previously served as an assistant to Pep Guardiola during City’s treble-winning campaign. With his wealth of experience and clear vision for success, Maresca’s tenure at Chelsea promises to be an intriguing chapter in the club’s storied history.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
