Three things Enzo Maresca needs to improve at Chelsea during international break

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It’s yet another break in the action for Chelsea as international duty calls, and it’s the perfect time for Enzo Maresca to iron out a few kinks from the first three months of the season.

Chelsea can be happy with the campaign so far. Third place after 11 games played is a fair reflection of their performances.

There were a couple of slips, no doubt, but Maresca’s side have done well considering the amount of injuries and red cards they have had to contend with.

But there is always room for improvement, and the Italian will be using these next two weeks to work on areas that have caused Chelsea problems. Here are three he can focus on.

Chelsea need to work on set-pieces during international break

Heading into Wolves, much was made of a concerning stat. Chelsea have conceded the most xG from set-pieces of any Premier League side.

So much importance has been shifted to set-pieces this season, and the Blues are struggling to adapt.

Maresca hasn’t had a consistent backline and that could be a factor contributing to their struggles, but it needs to improve regardless. They have been caught out on a couple of occasions, most notably, conceding a last-minute winner from a long throw against Brentford.

And that provides a nice segue into the next area for improvement.

Winning the ‘easy’ games and rotating smartly

One frustrating aspect of the season so far has been the manner in which Maresca’s side have dropped points. Chelsea eased past Tottenham and got a well-earned late winner against Liverpool, but have dropped points to the likes of Brentford, Sunderland and Qarabag.

A team that wants to contend for titles has to win those kinds of games. The set-piece part is relevant here, because that’s how weaker teams are looking to exploit Chelsea.

But rotation is equally at fault. Maresca has a deep squad to utilise, but some of the rotation has been poor, weakening the side too much or ignoring the chemistry aspect. Qarabag is a great example, where the team were far stronger on paper, but lacked cohesion.

Injuries play a part here, too, but Maresca has to figure out ways of rotating without fielding a side that doesn’t know each other well enough.

Maresca has to get the most out of Liam Delap

After a long period on the sidelines, Liam Delap has to earn Maresca’s trust to be the starting striker. A brainless sending off against Qarabag hasn’t helped. That recurring discipline issue could have its own section here, but we’re tired of talking about it.

Chelsea need Delap’s presence up top. Joao Pedro has gotten over his rough patch, but even still, he’s not at his best leading the line.

• READ MORE: Why Joao Pedro should be feeling a little bit jealous of Estevao Willian despite scoring vs Wolves

The Englishman is yet to announce himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful, but Maresca will be aware that he needs to hit form as Chelsea enter a more difficult stretch of fixtures leading up to Christmas.