Enzo Maresca is all of a sudden looking as if he could do with getting Chelsea back on the winning path at the weekend in their next Premier League game.
It has certainly been a promising start to life at Stamford Bridge for the new manager, with many left impressed at his ability to manage a squad the size of Chelsea’s.
Maresca rotated his side heavily for the recent Carabao Cup tie against Newcastle United, four days after they beat them in the Premier League with a full-strength side.
Very few players made a point to the boss that they should be considered for more minutes as a result. Mykhailo Mudryk was one of those who did impress though.
Enzo Maresca has to recall Marc Cucurella for Chelsea vs Manchester United
Another player who did his chances no harm of coming into the side was Marc Cucurella. The Spaniard has been a regular in Maresca’s side for the majority of the campaign.
However, his recent suspension saw him out of the side for the Liverpool game, and since then both Malo Gusto and Reece James have started in his role.
Maresca said the experiment of James at left-back worked against Newcastle last time, however fans will no doubt be keen to see some more balance with a natural left-footed player come back into the role.
Maresca under pressure to perform vs United
Chelsea’s trip to Manchester United is now much harder after the sacking of Erik ten Hag as manager, following their underwhelming start to the campaign.
It was expected that Ruben Amorim would be in the dugout opposite Maresca for the game on Sunday, however it now looks as if interim Ruud van Nistelrooy will be taking charge for this game.
The Portuguese manager was considered for the job at Chelsea on a number of ocassions before Maresca was handed the role, and the Italian will no doubt be keen to prove the club made the right call when he makes the trip to Old Trafford.
