Enzo Maresca's First Month at Chelsea: Data-Driven Analysis of His Tactical Approach and Impact

It’s often said that one of the most difficult tasks for a manager is to quickly instill all the details of their tactical system in a new team. This holds especially true in the early stages of a season when players are still adapting to the intricate demands placed upon them. However, during pre-season and the initial weeks of the campaign, the primary focus is on creating solid foundations. These tactical principles act as the groundwork laid by the manager, which can be developed, refined, and modified over time.

A prime example of this can be seen at Brighton under Graham Potter. The Englishman revolutionized their style of play, making Brighton more tactically flexible and progressive. When Roberto De Zerbi took over after Potter's departure to Chelsea, he inherited these foundational principles, giving him a platform to improve and adjust Brighton's approach rather than starting from scratch.

Similarly, when Enzo Maresca took over, the early part of the season was always going to be a period of volatility in performances as players came to grips with the nuances of his tactical system. This is entirely natural as teams evolve through stages of understanding and cohesion. However, there are important signs of progress that indicate Chelsea is building a solid tactical base under Maresca’s leadership.

Having closely followed Chelsea's Premier League matches, analyzing them in detail twice after every game, we believe Maresca is progressing well with his squad. There are still clear vulnerabilities in the team's game, but that’s to be expected at this stage. These gaps will close as the players continue to understand the system and as Maresca tightens up their defensive and offensive dynamics.

Let's dive in.