Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is impressed by the quality of his newly inherited squad – but it remains to be seen if that will convince the Blues’ top brass to ease up in the transfer market
New Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca is excited to work with the players already in the building after taking up his new role at Stamford Bridge.
The Italian, 44, was the Blues’ top target to replace Mauricio Pochettino after guiding Leicester City to the Championship title last term and he inherits a squad bulging with talent as a result of Chelsea’s enhanced transfer activity over the past two years.
Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital acquired the club back in 2022, Chelsea have spent north of £1billion on transfers. They have already completed deals for Marc Guiu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Omari Kellyman and Tosin Adarabioyo with further signings expected.
But Maresca has talked up the depth of the Blues’ current squad, insisting that he already possesses the quality to re-establish the club as contenders in the Premier League.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Maresca said: “I’m very excited. One of the reasons I’m here is because I’m convinced the squad is very good and full of talent. The most important thing now is we’re able to create the right culture that drives us for the season.
“I always say the same: if you are able to improve players then you are able to improve the team. So it’s our target to try to improve all of them day by day.”
Maresca worked under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City before taking the top job at Leicester last term and his feats during a maiden season in management did not go unnoticed elsewhere. He went on to outlined that his aim is to create a team which is “aggressive team” both on and off the ball.
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“In this moment, when you join a club you try to analyse what the club and team needs to improve and do the right things,” he added. “For me, it’s clear we need to create as soon as possible the right mentality and culture, a culture that the fans can be proud of. This is very important.
“We are going to try to be an aggressive team on the ball and off the ball and we need to create this connection between the fans and the club, especially at home.
“When you have your own fans behind the team pushing, it’s like playing with 12 players and this is what we have to create here.”
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