This is a syndication of the article originally published for the BBC, here.
Enzo Maresca has been criticised a lot for his team selections in the last few weeks. Both his decisions to change his side almost entirely for midweek games and his constant swapping out of his central defenders have been called out, especially after last week where his much-altered team drew in a crucial away trip to Qarabag in the Champions League.
Maresca in difficult position week after week
Enzo Maresca frustrated on the sidelines.
Enzo Maresca frustrated on the sidelines. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
The manager was forced to defend himself in press conferences following the match, and it’s hard to argue with his logic. His players can’t physically cope with playing twice a week, especially after a summer which saw many of his stars playing until deep into July and, then given just a few weeks of holiday.
Meanwhile in defence, injuries have prevented him picking a stable pair much of the time. But this weekend’s win over Wolves showed some promising signs that Maresca has finally established some order. It feels like he’s really got his first team nailed down now, in a way that we haven’t seen since the end of a last season.
Liam Delap is back and fit to lead the line. That, in turn, allows Joao Pedro to play in the hole as a number ten. Alejandro Garnacho has established himself on the let wing. Wesley Fofana is healthy and is building a solid centre-back partnership with Trevoh Chalobah. Estevao is proving effective as a second-half sub. Add that to the players who were established favourites from last season, and Chelsea finally have a team coming together.
Of course there will more questions to answer soon when Cole Palmer and Benoit Badiashile return to fitness, but for now Maresca seems to know his best team, and Chelsea can only benefit from that stability.
Will Faulks @willfaulks