Enzo Maresca has given his first interview as Chelsea manager.
Chelsea appointed Enzo Maresca as their new boss last month, and the Italian has now spoken about his move from Leicester City to the Blues in detail.
Maresca has also talked about what kind of team he wants Chelsea to be, and what he has envisioned could be very good news for one player who has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer.
The 44-year-old’s first Premier League game in charge will see him take on his former employers Manchester City.
What Enzo Maresca wants from his Chelsea team
Maresca has made it clear that he wants his Chelsea side to be aggressive, both in and out of possession.
Speaking to the club’s official website, he said: “We are going to try to be an aggressive team on the ball and off the ball and we need to create this connection between the fans and the club, especially at home.
“When you have your own fans behind the team pushing, it’s like playing with 12 players and this is what we have to create here.”
Chelsea have quite a few aggressive players, including Conor Gallagher, for example.
Some of his stats from last season show just that.
Enzo Maresca may fancy Conor Gallagher
During the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, no player committed more fouls than Gallagher.
The midfielder committed 83, 17 more than the next highest offender. He was also in the top 15 players for tackles after making 85 (FBref).
If Maresca wants someone who is going to run around and throw in aggressive tackles, then Gallagher could be his man.
Chelsea look more than willing to sell Gallagher this summer, with the Evening Standard reporting last month that they are ready to part ways with him for a £50m fee.
However, perhaps Maresca’s desire to create an aggressive Chelsea team could end up handing the England international a lifeline.
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