Chelsea are set to appoint Enzo Maresca as their new manager, but former Premier League midfielder Darren Ambrose has already shared one concern he has about the Italian.
The Blues announced Mauricio Pochettino’s departure last week after just one season in charge at Stamford Bridge, and in the subsequent days the club’s sporting directors have reportedly worked around the clock to appoint a replacement.
That man is Maresca, a former assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, with the club said to really believe in the 44-year-old.
Ambrose shares concern over Maresca
The Italian, who guided Leicester City to the Championship title last season, is reportedly going to sign a five year contract at Chelsea with the option of a further year.
Chelsea were impressed by Maresca’s obsession with possession based football, and the knowledge he already had of the club’s current squad.
The Italian is thought of highly within the game, with Leicester midfielder Harry Winks describing Maresca as the best manager he’s worked under, which is high praise given he’s worked under Jose Mourinho and Mauricio Pochettino.
There’s no denying this a huge risk to take on Chelsea’s behalf, and whilst the upside is potentially huge, the downside is equally as big.
Former Premier League midfielder and now talkSPORT pundit Ambrose claimed Leicester fans he knows described Maresca’s style of play as “boring”, something Chelsea definitely don’t want.
“I know some Leicester supporters, they won the Championship and they were still criticising the way they play”, Ambrose told talkSPORT.
“They pass you to death, they pass everyone off the pitch, It’s a bit boring, and I don’t think that’s what Chelsea are looking for.”
Maresca is going to be under pressure at Chelsea from the get go with the club desperately needing to get back in the Champions League, whilst the Europa Conference League represents a serious opportunity at landing silverware in his first season in charge.
