How Chelsea will line up under Enzo Maresca

Jacque Talbot

• Updated: 3 Jun 2024 15:09 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea have confirmed that Enzo Maresca has replaced Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager.

The Blues have reportedly paid Leicester City £10 million to release the Italian from his contract and he is now the man in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Maresca led the Foxes to the Championship title this season and sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart are believed to have recommended him as the top candidate for the role to co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

READ MORE: Who is Enzo Maresca’s assistant manager? Chelsea’s new backroom staff revealed

Meanwhile, Chelsea's recruitment director, Joe Shields, who previously worked with Maresca at Manchester City, gave the Italian his endorsement.

Maresca enjoyed a superb season with Leicester last term, with a 67.92% win record across the campaign.

Things were not so pretty with his previous job, which was with Parma. Indeed, after clinching the Premier League 2 title with Manchester City, Maresca was appointed head coach of the club in 2021.

His squad featured former international stars like Gianluigi Buffon and Franco Vazquez. However, despite the talent on the roster, he was unable to secure a promotion spot for Parma and was eventually dismissed from his position.

READ MORE: Why did Chelsea sack Mauricio Pochettino?

Chelsea XI under Enzo Maresca

But how will Chelsea line up under Maresca?

He likes to play with a 4-3-3, and given the personnel, this is how he will likely see his squad.

The big winner is Romeo Lavia, assuming he can stay fit. Maresca knows him from his time at Manchester City and is a big fan.

Of course, changes will be made to Chelsea's personnel over the summer, with four key new signings expected to arrive, including a goalkeeper and a striker.

GK: Djordje Petrovic

RB: Reece James

CB: Wesley Fofana

CB: Levi Colwill

LB: Marc Cucurella

CDM: Romeo Lavia

CM: Moises Caicedo

CM: Enzo Fernandez

RW: Cole Palmer

ST: Nicolas Jackson

LW: Christopher Nkunku