Former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has delivered his verdict on the Blues and current head coach Enzo Maresca.
Andre Villas-Boas, 47, had a brief stint at Stamford Bridge as the Chelsea manager between 2011 and 2012.
Matches Wins Draws Losses
40 20 10 10
Andre Villas-Boas’ record as the Chelsea manager
At the moment, Enzo Maresca is the current coach under the spotlight at Chelsea, where the pressure is always extremely high. The 45-year-old definitely has credit in the bank after winning two trophies in his first year last season.
Chelsea’s hierarchy were delighted with Maresca’s passion after he was sent off for his celebrations during the 2-1 victory against Liverpool in the Premier League before the international break.
Andre Villas-Boas speaking to the media as the Chelsea manager at Cobham.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Andre Villas-Boas gives verdict on Chelsea and Enzo Maresca
Villas-Boas has paid tribute to his former employers for their current strategy, albeit it’s different owners at Chelsea from his spell in charge. In addition, he’s showered Maresca with praise for his role in steering the ship.
Villas-Boas told GiveMeSport: “Chelsea has radicalised the way to approach the transfer market. It’s a totally different vision – getting the best out of young kids, investing via BlueCo in a multi-club ownership and getting the most out of that as well, with players coming in from Strasbourg like Andrey Santos.
“So [they have] a lot of quality, a lot of talent, probably [Emanuel]Emegha in the future. So it’s a new way to approach the transfer window, a new way to work out the transfer market and long-term contracts with the pros and cons that that brings. But they were successful. They won the FIFA Club World Cup and Conference League.
“Maresca is a great coach and man with a vision process ideas, so they look to be on the right path.”
Matches Wins Draws Losses
74 46 11 17
Enzo Maresca’s record as the Chelsea manager
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It has been a mixed start to the 2025-26 campaign for the Blues, winning just five of their opening 10 matches across all competitions. However, beating Liverpool last weekend lifted spirits going into October’s international break.
Jamie Redknapp doesn’t view Maresca as under pressure at the moment, but we know the pressure and expectation is always high at Chelsea.
The Italian is doing a very strong job gelling together the young group of stars assembled by the club.
Enzo Maresca holding a press conference at Chelsea's training ground.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca needs to fix Chelsea issue
If the Blues are to be competitive near the top of the league table, Maresca needs to fix an ongoing disciplinary record.
Chelsea have collected more yellow cards (303) since the 2022-23 campaign than any other team in the Premier League, as relayed by The Athletic. For context, Wolverhampton Wanderers are second on the list (278).
We’ve already seen red cards cost them this season in defeats to Brighton and Manchester United, too.
Hopefully, Maresca can drill into the young squad that they must improve their discipline and become a bit smarter during matches.