Gary Neville believes what Enzo Maresca has done at Chelsea so far this season is absolutely brilliant, with many people tipping the Blues to struggle.
Maresca was named as Mauricio Pochettino’s successor in the summer having guided Leicester to the Championship title last season, and signed a five year deal at Stamford Bridge.
There were question marks over the appointment, particularly given the Italian’s lack of experience, but that hasn’t seemed to matter so far.
Neville praises Maresca
The Blues currently sit second in the table seven points behind Liverpool and have lost just two of their fourteen league games.
Maresca’s men are also the top scorers in the division with 31 goals following Wednesday evening’s 5-1 win against Southampton.
There has been talk in the media about whether Chelsea are title contenders, something the 44-year-old has played down on several occasions.
Enzo Maresca after Chelsea's win against Aston Villa (Photo by: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC)
Maresca has exceeded many people’s expectations so far. (Photo by: Chris Lee – Chelsea FC)
Former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan feels the Blues are best placed to challenge Liverpool this season, but it feels like it’s a year too early for this young Chelsea team to challenge.
Maresca has rightly been receiving plaudits for the job he’s done at Chelsea and Neville believes what he’s done so far is “absolutely brilliant.”
“He’s done a very good job, we knew he was a good coach but we didn’t think he could manage or we didn’t know he could manage this chaotic club over the last couple of years that’s spent billions of pounds, that’s basically sort of chewed & spat out managers,” he told American broadcaster NBC Sports.
“What he’s done is absolutely brilliant.”
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It’s very much early days for Maresca and there will inevitably be periods this season where Chelsea go through a difficult run of form and it will be interesting to see how he and the players respond to that.
Next up for the Blues is a big London derby away at Tottenham on Sunday with Chelsea looking to make it four Premier League wins in a row and further consolidate their place in the top four.