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

Build-Up Play and Tactical Identity

Chelsea rank highly in slow, intricate build-up play - something that Maresca favors. We’ve seen clear examples of this in their matches, even in the opening game against Manchester City. Facing an opponent known for their high pressing, Chelsea remained committed to playing out from the back, a hallmark of Maresca’s approach.

Many expected Maresca's Chelsea to resemble a Man City-lite team, given his background as a former assistant to Pep Guardiola. However, what we’ve seen so far is a system that leans more towards Arne Slot’s Liverpool.

Data supports this comparison. When looking at the sustain percentage - an indicator of how long teams retain possession in the opposition half - Chels' rank fifth-lowest in the league, two spots below Liverpool. This suggests that while CFC can dominate possession, they are also willing to mix it up and go direct when necessary, rather than obsessively trying to pin the opposition back.

Directness and Flexibility

Chelsea's ability to alternate between a controlled, possession-based approach and more direct, high-tempo attacks is a key feature of Maresca’s system. The balance between these styles makes them less predictable and harder to defend against.

However, shot conversion has been a concern, particularly in games against Crystal Palace in the Premier League and Servette in the Conference League, where the team struggled to capitalize on its opportunities.