Manchester City will not be able to give Enzo Maresca the perfect conditions for him to start work with players this summer
Enzo Maresca, Head Coach of Chelsea watches on from the sideline during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Chelsea FC and Wrexham at Levi's Stadium on July 24, 2024 in Santa Clara, California.
Maresca has spent the last two summer in the United States(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
View Image
There probably is never a perfect time to take over, but when Enzo Maresca gets to work at Manchester City's training ground this summer he will think there could definitely have been better conditions. Most of his players, whose seasons started 12 months ago at the Club World Cup, will be spending a big chunk of this summer representing their countries in the United States.
When Maresca does assemble a group of players to take away for the pre-season tour and really get to grips with them, not only is it unlikely to include most who have been at the World Cup but they will be heading into strong heat and humidity. There are strong commercial reasons taking City to Asia but it is pretty difficult to build anything up in training sessions or matches because of the scorching conditions.
Once City return, there really won't be long in Manchester before they are heading straight down to Cardiff to face Arsenal in the Community Shield. Renewing their rivalry with the Gunners in the first game of the next season doesn't feel ideal, especially with a trophy up for grabs - however seriously or not it is taken.
Then it is a week before the Premier League gets underway, with a lottery of a fixture list that will be announced later this month. More than most years, City will be crossing their fingers for a gentle start.
At least with Maresca though, they have a coach who is used to working in difficult circumstances. Having been assistant to Pep Guardiola when the 115 charges landed at City's door - oh yeah, there may also be that for him to deal with! - he was then in charge at Leicester the following season when they were slapped with PSR breaches.
His first season at Chelsea saw him balance Premier League football with Conference League football on Thursday nights, and even when they reached the Champions League in the year after, they still landed with a trip to Azerbaijan. In between, the West London club went all the way in the US to win the Club World Cup and was then given a raft of FA charges relating to the previous ownership.
If all that sounds like Maresca is due a break, the fact that he was still able to have success at those clubs shows how he can overcome challenging off-pitch circumstances while maintaining the levels on it. Those skills are going to be essential to the Blues over the next few months if they are going to get their new era off to a healthy start.