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Gary Neville explains why Enzo Maresca may not make it at Chelsea despite being 'fantastic'

Enzo Maresca has done a good job at Chelsea since arriving from Leicester City in 2024.

Last season, Chelsea finished fourth in the Premier League table under Maresca, while they also managed to win two major honours.

This campaign has not been a bad one either. The Blues occupy fourth spot once again and are into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Are you happy with Enzo Maresca as Chelsea manager?

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Gary Neville is a fan of Maresca, but the former Manchester United defender still has some concerns about the Italian and his compatibility with this Chelsea squad.

Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher provide punditry Aston Villa v Sheffield United - Premier League

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Gary Neville thinks Enzo Maresca needs more experienced players at Chelsea

While Neville has described Maresca as a “fantastic” manager, he has suggested that the 45-year-old needs more seasoned footballers in his dressing room to accomplish something truly special at the club.

The ex-England international also thinks this current group of Chelsea players would benefit if they had a more experienced head coach at the helm.

Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, he said: “It’s almost like there is a sort of young manager who’s fantastic who maybe needs experienced players, and there are a group of young players who need an experienced manager. It’s a bit like almost they’ve got sort of young and young.”

Maresca’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge has been thrown into doubt following his outburst earlier this month. The former Leicester boss claimed that he had not been supported in the build-up to Chelsea’s 2-0 win against Everton.

Manchester City are thought to be interested in Maresca, who previously worked at the club as Pep Guardiola’s assistant coach.

Enzo Maresca is one of Manchester City’s top candidates to replace Pep Guardiola

Would this be the biggest blow to the Todd Boehly project so far?

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Chelsea Head Coach Enzo Maresca is present during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Chelsea

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Chelsea will set project back if they allow Enzo Maresca to leave

Maresca has a contract at Chelsea until 2029. The club should be doing everything they can to keep him happy and in west London.

Again, he has already accomplished so much after guiding the team to victory in the Club World Cup and Conference League finals last season.

Under him, Chelsea are also a very dominant team who can entertain when going forward.

All in all, Maresca leaving the Blues would hurt their project. They will not find a better manager who is willing to join them.

He is not perfect and as experienced as some of his rivals, but Maresca is learning and improving at Chelsea.

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