Enzo Maresca can clearly see similarities between him and one Chelsea legend when he was a player.
Maresca may be a manager now, but once upon a time the 45-year-old was a very good midfielder.
The Chelsea head coach did not have a bad CV at all, playing for the likes of Juventus and Sevilla, where he managed to win one Serie A title and two Europa League trophies.
Maresca is now hoping to lead Chelsea to European glory as manager. Chelsea face Copenhagen in the Conference League Thursday night, with many expecting them to win the tournament this season.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Enzo Maresca says Chelsea legend Dennis Wise reminds him of himself
Not too many Chelsea supporters would have watched Maresca during his playing days, but one former midfielder they will obviously be more familiar with is Dennis Wise.
Wise is a former Chelsea captain whom Blues supporters absolutely adore, and Maresca does not think they were too dissimilar as players.
When asked which Chelsea player he was most like during his days as a midfielder, the Italian told TNT Sports: “Chelsea player? Probably Dennis Wise because I was already in England around 2000. Yeah, probably Dennis Wise.”
Today, the Blues also have some very good midfielders playing for them, including Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez.
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Caicedo was just named in WhoScored’s Team of the Week for the last round of Premier League fixtures.
Like Wise, the Ecuadorian is certainly not afraid to make a tackle and has probably been the best ball-winning midfielder in the division this season.
Photo credit should read CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images
Photo credit should read CRISTINA QUICLER/AFP via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca and Dennis Wise’s playing careers
Maresca and Wise would have retired as happy men. Both managed to accomplish a lot during their careers.
Again, Maresca won some big honours during his time at Juventus and Sevilla, while Wise also managed to get his hands on two FA Cups and a couple of European trophies.
In total, the former was able to make 490 appearances before retiring in 2017, while the latter racked up 720 — an incredible feat.
Enzo Maresca and Dennis Wise’s careers Career appearances Goals Trophies
Enzo Maresca 490 62 7
Dennis Wise 720 120 5
If Maresca wants to become anywhere near as popular as Wise is among the Stamford Bridge faithful, though, then he needs silverware at Chelsea. With the Blues still in the Conference League, that could be a great place to start.