Chelsea are two wins from two since the international break and have moved up to join second place in the table. With every passing game, the improvements this season look less like a run of good form and more like the evidence for an emerging top team. All across the land pundits are wheeling out their praise for the Blues and the work Enzo Maresca has done.
Among them was Ally McCoist on TalkSport. The former Rangers coach took the chance to praise the progress he had seen from the Blues since last season, and he focused his appreciation on the manager:
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Cole Palmer and Jadon Sancho preparing for a game. Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
“It looks like the Chelsea midfield have a different balance to them and a different attitude,” McCoist said.
“It looks excellent and it’s really refreshing to see. The credit must go to the players for turning it around but also to Enzo Maresca, who’s got them playing some excellent football.”
Enzo Maresca after Chelsea's win against Aston Villa (Photo by: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC)
Enzo Maresca after Chelsea’s win against Aston Villa (Photo by: Chris Lee – Chelsea FC)
Maresca’s rotation philosophy to be tested in Southampton game
The football is certainly exciting – some work is needed at the back, but the attacking is thrilling. There’s a lovely mix of speedy players and technical ones which bring good balance to this side in attack, and a ridiculous amount of talent on the bench.
This exciting play relies on a lot of energy – but there’s been plenty of that, as Maresca is able to rotate his team fully in midweeks, given the crazy depth at his disposal.
The question is what happens when we play a midweek game in the Premier League – as we will tomorrow. How much does he roll the dice, especially given we’re playing one of the weakest teams in the league? This is something we expect the manager to address in his press conference later this morning.