Is Maresca Leading Chelsea to the Promised Land?

When Enzo Maresca took the reins at Chelsea for the 2024-25 season, it was with a clear mission: to return the Stamford Bridge club to its former glory. After several seasons of inconsistency, Chelsea fans looked forward to a turnaround, and Maresca has not disappointed. Though the season is still in its early days, it is obvious the Italian Manager is steering the club back to its best and this transformation is largely attributed to, Nicolas Jackson (Stricker), who has begun to fully flourish under Maresca’s leadership.

Nicolas Jackson’s Transformation

Jackson’s arrival at Chelsea in the summer of 2023 for £32m (UGX157.5Bn) came with much promise, but his debut season can be more described as “work-in-progress” than spectacular, netting 14 goals in 35 Premier League appearances which in itself was a record though it was overshadowed by a lot more chances that he missed in front of goal.

However, under Maresca, the Senegalese forward appears to have reached a new level, showcasing his full potential in the opening games of the 2024-25 season. Maresca himself has been full of praise for Jackson, stating after Chelsea’s 3-0 win over West Ham: “We are completely 100% happy with Nicolas. He is working hard since I arrived, he is very good on the ball. We are very happy.”

Maresca’s satisfaction is reflected in Jackson’s numbers. This season, Jackson is averaging 0.98 goals per game, more than doubling his average from the previous campaigns (0.45). Additionally, his expected goals (xG) per game has risen from 0.60 to 0.81, showing a sharper, more clinical edge in front of goal.

Jackson’s newfound confidence was evident during the Blues’ recent away win against West Ham, where he netted twice and created numerous chances including an assist to his attacking partner Cole Palmer.

Former Chelsea striker Demba Ba was quick to praise his movement: “How he gets the defender out of position and gets in there is top level. Even better than the finishing itself,” Ba said on X (formerly Twitter.)

The Maresca Effect

The tactical transformation under Maresca has been one of the most significant factors in Chelsea’s resurgence. The Italian has instilled a sense of discipline and purpose in the squad, with a strong emphasis on balance between attack and defense. “The clean sheet has been important. We have many things to improve…but overall, we are going in the right direction,” Maresca said after the West Ham match. His willingness to admit that the team is still a work in progress underscores his methodical approach to rebuilding the team.

Defensive Solidity and Fofana’s Return

Defensively, Chelsea have shown signs of improvement, and much of that has to do with Maresca’s careful management of the squad. One standout has been Wesley Fofana, who has returned to form after an injury-hit campaign last year. “We have to protect him from his injury last year. He did fantastic,” Maresca said, speaking about Fofana’s performance. With the young defender now fully integrated back into the starting lineup, Chelsea’s defense has looked more assured and stable.

The clean sheets Chelsea have kept in their early away fixtures speak volumes about Maresca’s defensive discipline. The Blues have won their first three away matches, making Maresca just the eighth manager in Premier League history to achieve such a feat.

New Signings Have Made a Difference

Chelsea’s summer transfer window saw the arrival of several promising young talents. One of the most notable signings was Jadon Sancho from Manchester United, who has quickly established himself as a key player on the left wing already contributing two assists in just two appearances for the club. Furthermore, the superstar arrival of Joao Felix impressed fans with the Portuguese scoring an amazing goal on his full debut.

Other notable names include Pedro Neto who has become a reliable starter for the team, Renato Viega who looks like a great bargain player for his versatility as well as Jorgensen in goal as a back up to add competition to Sanchez between the poles, among others.

The Challenge Ahead

Maresca’s tactical flexibility will be tested as the season progresses, particularly with the competition for places in attack. Christopher Nkunku, who returned from injury this season, is another key figure in the squad. However, with Cole Palmer occupying the central role in Maresca’s 4-2-3-1 formation, fitting both Jackson and Nkunku into the starting eleven is no easy task.

“He [Nkunku] is completely different to Nicolas. Nico is a number nine and Christo isn’t a real number nine,” Maresca explained in a media briefing recently. The manager has hinted that there could be games where both players feature, but for now, Jackson appears to be the preferred option up front.

Nkunku’s presence, however, is still valuable, and Maresca will need to find ways to integrate the Frenchman without disrupting the current balance of the team. The flexibility of players like Neto, Sancho and Palmer will be crucial in ensuring that Chelsea remain competitive across all competitions this season.

A Promising Future

 With Maresca at the helm, Chelsea look set to make significant strides this season. The team is showing greater tactical cohesion, and the players are clearly responding to the Italian’s methods. Though still early days, the signs are promising and should this upward trajectory continue, Chelsea fans have every reason to believe that their club is finally fixed under Enzo Maresca.