The Biggest Problem Maresca Faces at Chelsea

The biggest challenge Maresca will have will be facing teams that use the low block and are reluctant to press in Chelsea's half. From 2017, the last time Chelsea won the PL, they have struggled against lower blocks and counter-attacking teams. Sarri, Lampard, Tuchel, Potter and Pochettino were unable to create an effective and consistent strategy against those kind of oppositions. Stamford Bridge has a relatively small pitch compared to other PL teams. So, the advantages of positional play (at least the way Maresca plays it) are in a way compromised, especially when it comes to using width to spread opposition defences. Also, when you look at all the Chelsea teams that won the PL, they were not possession based teams. They were physical, high intensity, pragmatic and fast paced teams. They knew how to be very attractive (2009-10 & 2014-15) but with more physical, free-flowing and aggressive approaches than positional play. All in all, it's going to be a difficult challenge for Maresca to overcome.

"And time, unlike money, is something Chelsea are unwilling to spend". 😂😂😂

I think it’s important to realize that he doesnt have to plug and play his tactics from Leicester. The best players in Chelsea’s team might be better used if he pushes the left back up to the left wing to hold width and play Nkunku as an inside winger (like Palmer did last season) while keeping Enzo, caicedo and Reece in midfield. That would be a 2-3 or 3-2 base with Reece operating as a Libero, making late runs into those right half spaces that he likes. Everyone is then is their preferred position . Enzo can freely pass as he has protection from Reece and caicedo. Nkunku has the freedom of the left half space, Palmer has the right half space and noni (or olise) can hold width and cut/interchange with Palmer from right wing

Playing enzo as the deep lying midfielder would make him see alot of the ball, and time for him to make those diagonals and final passes. Cant wait for next season.. caicedo would actually be great as a box to box midfieder

Many people are mentioning Maresca's possession based "slow" football. I think he was doing this to suit the players he had at Leicester. He will be inheriting a host of explosive and technical players with Chelsea and he will definitely tweak how he plays. Let's wait and see.

Adaptability is the biggest strength of any manager who wants to challenge for league titles. Pep did not win the league in his first season, but they were very good football team, often let down by their GK and a lot of times, lack of proper fullbacks. Another point you mentioned was regarding the number of players being used. Yes, while City and Arsenal have used similar number of players, the minutes are distributed very evenly across City players than Arsenal's. Relying on the same line-up week-in week-out means fatigue creeps in towards the end of the season, and it is the reason why Arsenal have lost two league titles in a row, also the reason Poch's Spurs did not win anything. In a rigid positional system, tactical flexibility comes not from differing structures but the different quality of players on the pitch. Yes, it is a positional system, but there is a huge difference between how City play with Doku on the left vs Grealish, Walker and Lewis at RB, Alvarez and Haaland up to carry similar differences. They can tactically change things up while maintaining the system, while Arsenal barely can. So, I believe you are categorically wrong to think Chelsea's diverse squad is a flaw, it is likely the biggest strength Chelsea have. So, if Maresca is good enough to be a Chelsea manager, then he needs to understand how to accomodate everyone in his system, not for the sake of their price tag, but because every player offers something competely different to think about for the opposition, and that will be how we have to win more games than Arsenal throughout the season. Because every coach will be found out, but it's much harder to beat a team if they have a very diverse tactical style-set.

Not only knowledge this level of editing makes this channel way ahead . You should make video about how you edit haha

We keep hearing the comment about improvement after Enzo went out and Connor came in, but have yet to hear anyone comment the fact that was also the first time Cucu was inverted allowing Connor to press up. That just as easily could have worked with Enzo advancing up being a more creative presence in the final third getting the best out of him. Great breakdown, I think Enzo and Caicedo flip but otherwise it all makes me excited for next season! COYB

So early on here! Just wanted to say I love all your vids mate, keep it up!

Unbelievable video, I understood every single insight as for other videos I struggled to. I think maresca will do well here as long as we give him time and adapt well. We certainly have the players.

Fantastic video as always! Thank you!

Best analysis of Marescas style I've seen to date ❤❤ I love the visuals and graphics Keep up the good work

best video about maresca so far

Great work great work!!!!! I am impress. Keep it up.🤗🤗

Super wizzo commentary old chap. Many thanks indeed. Very thorough understandable and clearly stated. TOP SHOW

Been waiting for this 😅

Maybe the best actual analysis and foresight of the key problems Maresca may (will probably) face. Well done!

Excellent video, very insightful. My only doubt about this sort of "How Will Chelsea Line Up Next Season?" story is that people seem to assume that all the injured players will be back and won't get injured again. History tells us it's extremely unlikely that James, Fofana, Lavia, Chilwell and Nkunku will all be fit. Sadly they seem to be injury prone and I can't see why that would suddenly change.

Fantastic video... so impressive. Well done! You've earned a sub for sure.

I’ve waited for this for so so long.. nice bro