Enzo Maresca’s Tactical Plans: Two Possible Chelsea Lineups for Next Season
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Enzo Maresca is gearing up for the upcoming season as Chelsea’s new head coach. He’s the latest to take the reins under the Boehly-Clearlake Capital era, and he’s bringing his strategic vision to Stamford Bridge.
Maresca, who just wrapped up his tenure with Leicester, is set to officially start with Chelsea on July 1. He’s known for his tactical flexibility, often switching between a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1 formation. But what’s interesting is how these formations transform into a 3-2-5 during offensive plays.
Let’s break it down with the current squad, without considering any new signings:
In a 4-3-3 setup:
- Goalkeeper: Sanchez
- Defenders: James, Fofana, Colwill, Chilwell
- Midfielders: Lavia, Caicedo, Fernandez
- Forwards: Palmer, Nkunku, Jackson
When Chelsea doesn’t have the ball, this lineup provides solid coverage across the pitch, especially with a midfield trio that’s not afraid to put in the work. With the ball, one of the full-backs might step into a midfield role next to Romeo Lavia. This shift allows midfielders like Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez to move up and control the game higher up, effectively pressing the opposition.
In a 4-2-3-1 formation:
- Goalkeeper: Sanchez
- Defenders: James, Fofana, Colwill, Chilwell
- Midfielders: Fernandez, Caicedo
- Attacking Midfielders: Madueke, Nkunku, Palmer
- Forward: Jackson
This variation leans more towards attack, with an additional forward creating a powerful quartet upfront. Here, one full-back will provide width by pushing up, while the other might tuck in. This setup also morphs into a 3-2-5 when attacking, with Fernandez ready to surge forward and thread those decisive passes.
Maresca’s approach is all about adaptability and making the most of the players’ versatility. It’s going to be exciting to see how he applies his tactics to Chelsea’s talented squad!
