Chelsea's Pre-Season Woes: Enzo Maresca's Struggles Amid Off-Field Turmoil

Analyzing Chelsea's Pre-Season Struggles and Future Prospects

Putting too much weight onto pre-season results is a perennial trap that must be avoided. However, alarm bells may not yet be ringing at Chelsea. Their performances during their US tour so far will have many fans concerned that a summer of off-field upheaval has brought further problems on the pitch.

Lessons from Recent Matches

New boss Enzo Maresca shrugged off the notion of strict defensive discipline, stating, "We are going to concede goals" with the play-out-from-the-back style he is trying to impose. This became evident during their US debut, where a defensive breakdown led to a 2-2 draw with League One outfit Wrexham.

However, letting in a staggering four goals against Celtic was likely beyond his acceptable limit. Both matches revealed that Chelsea appeared open, unsure, and prone to errors. Whether facing Wrexham or Celtic forwards, spaces were repeatedly left behind, allowing opponents to exploit defensive weaknesses.

Manager's Insights: Building from Mistakes

Following the loss to Celtic, Maresca expressed, "We are still confusing things on the ball and off the ball." He acknowledged the challenges associated with integrating a new style. This observation is frustrating because Chelsea ended last season on a high note, finishing with five consecutive wins and reaching a Carabao Cup final. Now, with a new manager and a seemingly reset trajectory, they seem to be starting from scratch.

A New Era: The Maresca Appointment

Maresca is the sixth head coach to take the reins since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took control of the club two years ago. Unlike his predecessors, he doesn't have prior top-flight management experience. Given his short coaching stint at Parma and a victorious season with Leicester, he now faces the enormous challenge of guiding a club with massive expectations.

Addressing Off-Pitch Issues

Furthermore, Maresca had to quickly contend with off-pitch distractions, such as the controversy surrounding Enzo Fernandez's behavior while on international duty. Despite insistence that the matter was resolved, it remains a concern for team dynamics, as highlighted by captain Reece James.

James has also been adapting to Maresca’s scheme, stepping into midfield, yet there are uncertainties surrounding his captaincy. The omission of Trevoh Chalobah from the US squad has been met with criticism, particularly with Chelsea's defensive vulnerabilities becoming prominent in recent friendlies.

Goalkeeping Conundrum and Transfer Speculations

Another pressing issue lies in the goalkeeping department. Chelsea’s impending recruitment of Filip Jorgensen suggests a potential shift away from using Robert Sanchez as their number one goalkeeper. Djordje Petrovic, who took Sanchez's place last season, has also seen his future come into question as he missed the tour due to injury.

The uncertainty doesn’t end there; with Jorgensen being potentially the seventh new signing under Maresca, it highlights the overall restructuration Chelsea aims to achieve. The departures of seasoned leaders from their academy have also added to the overall atmosphere of uncertainty.

Tough Start to the Premier League Season

The fixture computer has not been kind to Chelsea, with Maresca's Premier League debut set against the formidable Manchester City. Following that, they face a grueling schedule that includes strong contenders for Champions League spots. In particular, the back-to-back fixtures after the October international break are anticipated to be particularly challenging.

Positive Signs amidst the Turmoil

While challenges abound, there are notable positives from Chelsea's pre-season activities. They have dominated possession and outperformed their opponents in terms of attempts on goal. New signing Christopher Nkunku has scored in both matches, which bodes well following his injury struggles last season. Emerging talents like Romeo Lavia are also looking fit, enhancing the team's prospects.

Upcoming Fixtures

• July 25: Chelsea 2-2 Wrexham
• July 27: Chelsea 1-4 Celtic
• August 1: Chelsea vs Club America - Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, kick-off at 12 AM
• August 3: Chelsea vs Man City - Ohio Stadium, Columbus, kick-off at 10:30 PM
• August 7: Chelsea vs Real Madrid - Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, kick-off at 12 AM

As Chelsea continues their pre-season tour, all eyes will be on their performance in the upcoming matches, especially to quiet the skepticism surrounding their readiness for the season's start live on Sky Sports against the reigning champions on August 18.