Enzo Maresca: A Realist Coach and Chelsea’s Difficult Transition

When Enzo Maresca took over at Chelsea, everyone thought he could bring about immediate change. However, the reality was that he faced far more than just tactical issues on the field. He also had to deal with immense external pressure. Fans wanted the team to win, the media expected improved results, and the management had significant financial constraints. For Maresca, it was like walking a tightrope while carrying a heavy load.

Maresca’s coaching style: starting with meals

Many people may not know that Maresca was very strict about the lifestyle habits of his players. For example, he removed many condiments from the training ground, such as salt and pepper. These were replaced with bland foods, such as boiled chicken, pasta without sauce, and a fixed selection of fish.

This approach may sound extreme, but it’s actually meant to help players maintain better physical condition. Darren Bent, who played for Tottenham Hotspur, once said that they also went through a similar “watered-down” period, and even the captain couldn’t resist asking the coach to improve the meals. But in the world of professional football, success comes at a price—it’s not as easy as winning a video game.

Unavoidable Choices Due to Financial Constraints

In addition to adjusting his lifestyle, Maresca also has to face a very real problem—not enough money. The Premier League has a rule called “financial fair play” (PSR), which means that clubs cannot spend unlimited amounts of money on players, or they will be penalized.

In order to comply with this rule, Chelsea has had to sell some young players to balance the books in recent years. For example, there have been rumors that Conor Gallagher is leaving the team.Mariska did not shy away from this issue, saying, “This is not a problem unique to Chelsea, but a challenge faced by the entire Premier League.”

Under these circumstances, he can only try to activate players who were neglected by previous coaches. For example, Brazilian midfielder Andre Santos, who had not played much before, performed well during his loan spell and is now an important member of Mariska’s system.

Fan dissatisfaction and Maresca’s response

Although the team sometimes wins, fans are not always satisfied. For example, in the home game against Leicester City, although Cucurella scored a wonderful long-range shot to help the team get three points, the pace of the game was slow, with a lot of possession but little excitement, which resulted in boos from the stands.

In response to this, Maresca did not back down. He made an interesting remark: “When I was managing Leicester City, we often went toe-to-toe with strong teams like Arsenal and Manchester City until the 83rd minute before losing. Football isn’t a PlayStation game; winning has never been easy.”

What he meant was that the current team is still in a stage of adjustment and cannot be expected to play well and win every game. With limited manpower and resources, stability is more important than style.

From Championship winners to Champions League qualification: balancing reality and ideals

Mariska’s career began with leading Leicester City to the Championship title, and now as Chelsea manager, his goals have changed. Before, it was about promotion, but now it’s about qualifying for the Champions League.But no matter what the goal is, he is always looking for a happy medium between idealism and reality.

He also realizes that he cannot do it alone. That is why he has publicly called on fans to support the team on social media. This is not just a slogan, but an attempt to build a new relationship: the club needs time to complete its transformation, and fans need to understand that true success does not happen overnight.

Chelsea has spent a lot of money in recent years, but now it needs to shift to a healthier, more sustainable development model. This means no longer relying on spending money to buy players, but instead developing its own players and laying a solid foundation. This process will not be easy, but it is a necessary “growing pain” that must be endured.

Perseverance and Hope During the Growing Pains

While fans at Stamford Bridge occasionally raise banners in protest, the overall mood remains relatively stable. However, internal pressure within the club persists. Maresca is well aware that theoretical concepts and tactical plans alone cannot truly transform a team.

When he says, “We need the fans,” what he really means is that Chelsea’s future is not just the responsibility of the coach or the players; it requires the collective effort of the entire club, the fans, and even the community. Success does not happen overnight; it takes time and patience.

Conclusion: Football is reality, not a game**

Enzo Maresca is leading Chelsea through a period of transition with a realistic approach. He knows the road ahead is tough and that it will be difficult to satisfy everyone in the short term. But he believes that as long as they keep going, the team will eventually reach its moment of glory.

As he said, “Football isn’t a game, and victory doesn’t come cheap.” Perhaps this is the message he wants to convey to everyone: in this real world, only by staying grounded can you go further.