Enzo Maresca is likely to be Chelsea’s manager for the long-term. With the UEFA Champions League qualification scenario very uncertain, this decision is a big win for the team. Maresca signed a five-year contract last summer and has the trust of the club’s rulers. As co-owners Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly know, and should be thanking their lucky stars for, that development is on display this season.
Chelsea’s aspirations have sky rocketed over the ongoing season. At the very least, they are going to try their damnedest to finish in the top five of the Premier League again. This mark comes out of their overachievement, as the Union have been in a top-four spot for the entire campaign. Though the stretch will be tough, Maresca believes there is cause for optimism in order to finish the season on a high note. With conviction he replied, “Hopeful that we have a good season, and it turns into a great one if we finish top five and win the Conference League.”
The team has some deep obstacles ahead. The recent suspension of striker Nicolas Jackson — who recently received a red card during a match against Newcastle United — complicates matters further. Maresca was understandably upset about Jackson’s sending off in that match, which came as a result of a foul on Sven Botman. The 2007 World Cup captain warned that such behaviour could be a sign of a bigger disciplinary problem in the party. It’s unsurprising then, that Chelsea have picked up the most yellow cards of any club in the league this season with a total of 96.
After the first Arsenal-Chelsea clash back in March, Mikel Arteta credited Chelsea’s attack for being “the best attacking team in the league.” Even amidst the team’s ongoing issues with in-game discipline, this award is a testament to the killer effectiveness of Maresca’s tactics. To make matters worse, the manager had to pretend to be shocked at receiving too many yellow cards. He recommended an examination of players’ behavior off the ice.
“We didn’t discuss that at all quite frankly,” Maresca replied when asked about disciplinary actions being taken. However, he knows that maintaining discipline will be crucial as the team navigates its final matches of the season.
Chelsea women are preparing to take on Real Betis in the Europa Conference League final on May 28, also in Vienna. The fixture presents them with yet another opportunity to take home some silverware! Maresca’s priority is all about wrapping up the Premier League title, and even using that situation to prepare for a run in Europe next season.
As the club nears the season’s end, the club’s priorities have changed somewhat. Since day one, I said it loud and I said it proud. The club gave me an ambitious target: in two years’ time, we want to be competing in the Champions League. He did admit that when you’re in the mix for a Champions League berth for a full season, expectations do start to come naturally.
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