Pundit explains how Enzo Maresca has made Chelsea so difficult to play against

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is continuing to win plaudits after taking his side to third in the Premier League table.

There were a lot of question marks when Chelsea decided to hire Enzo Maresca during the summer.

The 44-year-old had never managed in the Premier League before and was a fairly inexperienced manager overall.

However, it has not taken long for Maresca to prove his doubters wrong. Former Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew recently highlighted how relaxed Maresca has looked.

• READ MORE: Enzo Maresca poised for supersized transfer budget next season as Chelsea tap into £500m fund

Robbie Mustoe on Enzo Maresca’s tactics

Retired midfielder Robbie Mustoe thinks Chelsea must be a nightmare to play against right now because of the way they attack and all of the tactical tweaks that Maresca makes.

Speaking about the Chelsea boss and his team after their 2-1 win against Leicester City on The 2 Robbies, Mustoe said: “He finds this way to fill the spots in the attacking areas. Two wide and at least a couple in the number 10 position and then a striker in the usual guy in Nicolas Jackson.

“If he keeps making these little wrinkles… it’s got to be difficult to set your team up to say well [Malo] Gusto’s going to go in there or [Moises] Caicedo’s going to play… I just think he’s a very smart coach.”

Next up for Chelsea in the Premier League is a tie against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge. Before that, they play Heidenheim in the Conference League.

Chelsea’s stats under Enzo Maresca

Right now, Chelsea certainly are a team not many will want to play against. They have scored 23 goals in the Premier League this season, which is the third most in the division and more than what Manchester City have managed.

The Blues also tend to have more possession during games, with their average ball possession being 55.4% this season.

Where they can improve is discipline, already picking up 45 yellow cards in the English top flight. But overall, Maresca will be happy with what he is seeing from his Chelsea side.

It is still early days. A lot can happen between now and the end of the season, but it would be really disappointing if Chelsea failed to finish in the top four after how they have performed in their 12 games so far.

With City really struggling for form right now, the Blues should even be thinking about aiming for second place.