Why Chelsea picked Enzo Maresca as new manager and what former Leicester boss will do next after signing five-year contract
Chelsea appointed Maresca on Monday afternoon.
The Enzo Maresca era has officially begun at Stamford Bridge after the 44-year-old was confirmed as the club’s new manager on Monday afternoon.
Get 30 days FREE - all your essential transfer news for this summer!
Maresca - who led Leicester City to promotion from the EFL Championship to the Premier League last season - has signed a five-year contract with Chelsea.
He will be joined at Stamford Bridge by ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Willy Caballero, who will serve as assistant manager.
Danny Walker, Michele De Bernardin, Marcos Alvarez, Javier Molina Caballero and Roberto Vitiello will also leave their coaching roles at Leicester to join Maresca at Chelsea.
Chelsea will pay Leicester more than €10 million in compensation.
Why did Chelsea choose Maresca?
Chelsea considered various candidates - including Thomas Frank, Kieran McKenna and Sebastian Hoeness - before finally deciding that Maresca was their man.
As reported by Daily Briefing columnist Ben Jacobs via X.com, Maresca impressed Chelsea chiefs with his “thirst for knowledge”.
Before he was hired, Maresca took time out of his holiday to watch video footage of Chelsea games in order to be prepared for the interview process and beyond.
Jacobs explained: “Enzo Maresca’s thirst for knowledge struck Chelsea’s hierarchy.
“He watched games from last season on holiday in Marbella and displayed strong squad knowledge.
“And he has already requested #CFC’s data room provide performance analysis of all youth and first team players.”
What is next for Maresca?
According to Jacobs, Maresca has also asked for full details of everyone working at Chelsea’s Cobham training base.
After receiving and reviewing the aforementioned data, Maresca must decide which players and staff members he wants to keep, who he wants to move on and, of course, who he would like to bring in.
A new goalkeeper will seemingly not be high on Maresca’s list of priorities though.
As reported by Fabrizio Romano, Maresca “really likes” Spanish stopper Robert Sanchez - who joined the Blues from Brighton last summer.
Romano tweeted on Monday: “Understand Chelsea new coach Maresca told the board that he really likes Robert Sanchez.
“Maresca, looking forward to working with Spanish GK next season as he believes Robert is ready for next phase of his career.
“Chelsea expect Sanchez to stay at the club this summer.”
Meanwhile, one player who could be leaving Chelsea this summer is Omari Hutchinson.
The 20-year-old midfielder spent last season on loan at Ipswich Town and played a key role in the Suffolk side’s promotion, scoring 10 goals in 44 league games.
However, Chelsea have no plans to loan Hutchinson out again.
As reported by Romano via X.com on Monday: “Chelsea won’t loan out Omari Hutchinson again this summer.
“Permanent deal, only way. #CFC would only consider bids around £25/30m for Omari.
“Understand Stuttgart are pushing a lot to sign him, favorites — with more clubs in PL, Ajax and Feyenoord also keen.”
Maresca will officially start work on July 1.
However, he will likely be in regular contact with his new employers before then.
Maresca’s first game in the Chelsea dugout will be a pre-season friendly against Wrexham at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on July 24 (3.30am on July 25 for those in the UK).
Surprised about him liking Sanchez as he’s not really a ball playing keeper.
Great 👌