It was only Burnley, but Chelsea’s away win today felt very important.
With a rotated team playing in an early kick off, the only priority had to be getting 3 points, and the Blues did it. They scored twice on fast breaks to sink the home team, and then just tried to manage the game. It wasn’t pretty, but it was pretty effective in the end.
Maresca loving life as Chelsea box – despite his pet peeve returning
Enzo Maresca gesticulates on the touchline.
Enzo Maresca gesticulates on the touchline. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Speaking to the media after the game, manager Enzo Maresca was asked how much he was enjoying managing Chelsea, now they’re on a run of 8 wins in 10 in all competitions, a marked improvement after a dodgy spell.
“I’m very happy since I joined the club, not just in this moment. For sure when you are Chelsea manager you know that when you lose one game it’s a crisis, and if you lose two it’s a huge crisis, so you have to be aware of that,” the manager said.
He also took a moment to indulge in his favourite topic, as we learned with repeated mentions last month – teams playing back fours or back fives.
“I really enjoy [managing Chelsea] because also I like to learn. Today we expected a Burnley back five, and they were back four, so after 20 minutes we needed to change the plan, and the players adapt, I learn things, so I’m very happy.”
In other Burnley win news…
Liam Delap’s struggles in this game mean increasing pressure on Enzo Maresca to drop him, and the coach backed his forward to score a Premier League goal soon in the post-match presser.
Andrey Santos was man of the match in the win against Burnley, and Maresca spoke about him in the same presser.
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Andrey Santos trains with Chelsea in Atlanta. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
Enzo Maresca speaks to TNT Sport after win.
Enzo Maresca speaking to the media ahead of Burnley game.