Enzo Maresca won’t solely be judged on trophies, and is regarded as masterful in the way he’s managed the squad according to Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol.
The Italian had a successful first season in charge in which he guided Chelsea back to the Champions League and won the Conference League and Club World Cup.
Chelsea have made a solid start to the campaign and sit second six points behind leaders Arsenal, whilst they are also seventh in the Champions League standings.
Enzo Maresca won’t just be judged on trophies
Maresca signed a five year contract at Stamford Bridge when he replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the summer of 2024.
There were questions about his future after Chelsea suffered back to back league defeats to Manchester United and Brighton, but he’s turned things around since then.
Enzo Maresca acknowledges the Chelsea fans.
Maresca is now in his second season in charge at Chelsea. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Maresca is expected to guide Chelsea to Champions League football once again, and at this early stage of the campaign he’s on course to do that.
It’s believed Chelsea will review Maresca at the end of the season, and Solhekol has explained the criteria he’ll be judged on.
He reports Maresca won’t just be judged on trophies, but also on the work he’s doing developing and improving players, as well as building a team and winning culture.
No title expectations at Chelsea
Despite not winning a title since 2017 under Antonio Conte, and not even mounting a challenge in the subsequent years, there’s no expectation of winning the title the season.
Solhekol reports Chelsea believe Arsenal and Manchester City are the favourites, whilst the Blues are building a squad for the next five to ten years.
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Stamford Bridge on a muggy day.
Paul Merson speaking on Sky Sports news.
Chelsea are clearly very focused on the long term, but it sometimes feels they aren’t as focused on the here and now, which has certainly frustrated fans.
However, the ownership have a plan and they are sticking to it, and in fairness it has shown signs of working, and has delivered some success.