Enzo Maresca received plenty of praise in his first season at Chelsea, and has continued to receive plaudits for his work at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea chiefs are delighted at Maresca, shown by the fact that he has become the first manager to enter a second season in charge since Todd Boehly and co took over.
Maresca led the Blues to two trophies in the form of the Club World Cup and the Europa Conference League, and had to rely on a deep squad to see them achieve their goals in all competitions.
In Europe, a number of young talents got their chance to make their debuts for the club. Shumaira Mheuka, Kiano Dyer and Reggie Walsh all got their chances as first team stars were rotated.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca speaks to the media during a press conference.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
When looking at the youngsters coming through the squad, one of those making the biggest impact this season is Jesse Derry.
The former Crystal Palace academy star has eight goals in his first 14 games for the club, and has surely caught the eye of the first team manager this season.
The youngster’s father, Shaun Derry, has now stated that Maresca was a big reason why they decided Chelsea were the best club for him to join.
He told Alex Goldberg: “He’s been outstanding hasn’t he. For me, I think he’s been fantastic. I love the fact that he is the Chelsea manager, and players earn the right to have opportunities, but he’s open for those opportunities.
“You go back to the decision of ‘Why Chelsea?’ A real big tick box for us all, more importantly for Jesse, last year nine academy graduates were given the opportunity to play for Chelsea.
“Obviously they had the Europa Conference competition, but at the same time that’s propelled those young boys to potentially having a career in the first team.”
Chelsea's Jesse Derry playing for England Under-19s
Photo by Alius Koroliovas – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Derry starring for England too
The attacker’s strong start to life at Cobham has seen him become a regular for the England U19s alongside fellow youngster Shumaira Mheuka.
Derry scored a hat-trick for England during the recent international break, announcing himself as a top player in a team packed with talent.
The likes of Max Dowman have been overshadowed by Derry, and it surely won’t be long before he gets his first chance to feature for the Blues first team.