'There could be winners and losers from Maresca's approach'
- Published
Chelsea are very much beginning the Enzo Maresca era with an identikit approach to his Leicester City team, who won the Championship and promotion to the Premier League last season.
The approach was apparent in an open training session in front of select media this week as the club transition to a heavy possession-based style - which was unpopular with sections of Leicester's fanbase.
The slow, patient and controlled approach was apparent in the 2-2 draw with Wrexham.
The Italian saw his team build up with three defenders at the back, a full-back, namely captain Reece James, stepping into midfield and two of the three central midfielders playing high up the pitch to create an attacking front five.
In the first half, the approach worked well as James and Levi Colwill played in full-back positions and looked well-suited to Maresca's demands.
However, Malo Gusto and Ben Chilwell struggled to replicate their success in the second half as the Blues made 10 changes at half-time.
There could well be winners and losers from Maresca's approach as some adapt to an approach that is a far cry from Mauricio Pochettino's high-energy, adaptive and less demanding tactical approach.