Enzo Maresca, the former Leicester City manager, has made the surprising decision to take over as the new manager of Chelsea. Despite guiding Leicester City back to the Premier League, Maresca decided to leave the club after just one season. This move has raised questions about why he would choose to join a club that has struggled in recent years.
One possible explanation is the issues looming at Leicester City. Maresca became aware of possible Financial Fair Play (FFP) issues at the club after the season had already started. Additionally, the January transfer window created conflict as two deals involving Cesare Casadei and Stefano Sensi fell through. These issues may have contributed to Maresca’s decision to leave Leicester City.
However, it is not solely disillusionment with Leicester City that led Maresca to join Chelsea. When offers come in from former Champions League-winning clubs like Chelsea and Porto, it becomes clear that Maresca’s profile in the competitive market is high. Chelsea, in particular, saw potential in Maresca to make improvements at their club, especially in their pursuit of a top-four finish.
Maresca’s predecessor, Mauricio Pochettino, left Chelsea on mutual consent at the end of the season. Pochettino, although leaving the club in a more stable position than when he arrived, did not feel respected or happy at Stamford Bridge. Maresca, too, is a coach who needs empathy and understanding from his paymasters. He will need reassurance that he will be supported and surrounded by elite staff at Chelsea.
At Chelsea, Maresca will find a young team disappointed by Pochettino’s departure but receptive to his style of play. His high-tempo, high-pressure, possession-based style is similar to Pochettino’s. However, Maresca will have better players at Chelsea than he did at Leicester City, allowing him to apply his style more effectively.
Maresca’s main aim at Chelsea will be to continue the progress and culture started by Pochettino. He will need to stamp his authority not only within the team but also with everyone associated with the club. Stability and the opportunity to implement his ideology are more important to Maresca than immediate success.
While Leicester City fans may be disappointed by Maresca’s departure, Chelsea fans are likely to embrace him and his style of play. Maresca is seen as an interesting and depthful individual who may come across as reserved at first but will soon win over the fans. His family, too, will be happy to stay in England, although they had settled well in Leicester.
Ultimately, Maresca’s decision to leave Leicester has nothing to do with any negativity he received from fans about the style of football. Instead, it is because Chelsea, a club of higher caliber, has given him the chance to be closer to the elite level, where he belongs as a former player and aspires to be as a coach.