Enzo Maresca will be facing a familiar face when he takes his Chelsea side to Wales for the EFL Cup quarter-final against Cardiff City.
Their manager, Brian Barry Murphy replaced Maresca as the Manchester City Elite Development coach, and worked alongside him at the club when the Italian was Pep Guardiola’s assistant.
Both have now gone to enjoy strong starts to their own managerial careers at first team level, with Murphy leading Cardiff to top of League One and a major cup quarter-final.
Finish off our team to face Cardiff!
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They have benefitted from the services of Omari Kellyman on loan from Chelsea this season, however he will not be available for the match between the two sides.
How Enzo Maresca impressed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City
It looks as if Murphy was well aware that Maresca would make it at the top after his interactions at City with Guardiola.
He recalled to The Guardian that the Spaniard was left very impressed by the current Chelsea boss speaking his mind while at City, despite the fact that it was an intimidating atmosphere working under Guardiola.
He said: “I feel as if I know Enzo really well. I replaced Enzo, but when he came back to work with Pep during those 12 months we spent a lot of time together and I watched them coach a lot.
“When you work in an environment like that with such a strong figurehead it can be quite intimidating to coach and give your opinion because of who it is, but he [Maresca] was willing to share strong opinions with the boss and Pep loves that.”
Maresca under pressure to deliver against Cardiff
Chelsea are expected to book their place in the semi-finals on Tuesday night, even if they are going to rotate their first team squad for the game.
Enzo Maresca’s explosive ’48 hours’ rant has everyone talking 😶
Who do you think the Chelsea boss was referring to?
The boss is under pressure after recent comments surrounding his frustrations with the club’s backing of him. Results on the pitch will speak louder than words.
Maresca clarified he is 100% committed to Chelsea, however defeat to the lower league opposition would be a real nightmare for a man in his position.
With reports of tension between the manager and the board, results are going to be crucial in this busy stage of the season.
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