In a recent interview with a football journalist, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca expressed his frustration with his team’s defensive tendencies as they prepare for the upcoming season. Since beginning his tenure at Cobham on July 8, Maresca has been working hard to instill his philosophy within his large squad.
The team recently completed a pre-season tour of the United States, culminating in a match against European champions Real Madrid. Despite a 3-0 victory over Club America, Chelsea struggled defensively in other matches against Wrexham, Celtic, Manchester City, and Real Madrid. Maresca acknowledged that the number of goals conceded during these games was a cause for concern, attributing some of the defensive lapses to his players still adapting to his style of play.
In a post-match interview, Maresca hinted at his displeasure with his back three for playing a higher defensive line than he prefers. He emphasized the importance of reducing the number of goals conceded and ensuring better defensive organization.
Maresca’s concerns were echoed in a statement to BBC Sport by Nizaar Kinsella, who quoted the coach as saying, “One of my first meetings with the squad was about the amount of goals we conceded last year with the defensive line very high.”
Looking ahead, Chelsea will face Inter Milan in their final pre-season fixture at Stamford Bridge. Maresca indicated that some players, including Marc Cucurella, Cole Palmer, and Nicolas Jackson, may not be risked in this match due to their recent involvement in Euro 2024 and injury recovery.
With the new season fast approaching, Maresca and his coaching staff will be working tirelessly to address the defensive issues plaguing the team and ensure they are ready for the challenges that lie ahead. The Italian manager remains optimistic about his team’s potential and is determined to iron out any defensive weaknesses before the season kicks off.
