Enzo Maresca's many Chelsea problems before season even starts

Newly installed Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca's has an abundance of problems at Chelsea Football Club before the 2024/25 season has even started. These unenviable elements include a lack of appropriate signings at the prerequisite standard. Coupled with a dismal appearing scattergun transfer strategy which won't benefit the team in the immediate short-term or relative long-term.

Maresca has also vented his own frustration at some of the negative aspects of the contemporary Blues' status prior to kicking off the upcoming CFC campaign. One factor bothering the former Leicester City manager is the sheer ridiculous size of his bloated squad. There is an astonishing 43-man roster at Stamford Bridge, illuminating the fact that Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart arguably have no clue of what they're doing. Unless a roughly six-to-nine-year plan comes to fruition.

Chelsea FC remains a mess - The Pride of London opinion

Let's begin with the amount of professionals, a mix of young and experienced, at CFC presently. Someone on Fulham Road must answer to the fact that there is a staggering 43 playing personnel on the Blue's books at the moment.

The modern Chelsea must have the largest squad of possible starters in the Premier League's history. Unless I have missed a more disorderly club over the many years I've followed the EPL! Actually, I tell a lie, these aren't all likely contributors: a large majority are prospects, albeit quality ones.

But that doesn't aid Maresca's direct cause. In fact, there are 15 first team members currently banished from senior training. I don't think any have been, let's say, dishonourably discharged from the first team. However, clearly the Italian in charge doesn't believe stars such as Romelu Lukaku, Trevoh Chalobah, Kepa Arrizabalaga or Conor Gallagher are necessary in his group.

So, what did the 44-year-old Pep Guardiola disciple divulge regarding his swollen roster? Basically he is unhappy with it, to simplify the situation. Essential it makes the latter's task of balancing Blues extremely difficult. Maresca actually pointed the finger of blame at co-sporting directors Winstanley and Stewart:

" At the moment if I start to think I have 43 players it is not a good thing; I have 28 training with me. Paul and Laurence are in charge of finding solutions for these guys not me."

- Enzo Maresca

Maresca was referring to failed efforts to offload unwanted professionals at the Bridge. This is a distraction for a fully football-focused gaffer. Not to mention adding further headaches following an overall inadequate set of preseason results and performances.

Nevertheless, the ex-Manchester City coach is adamant that his men can close the top four - or top six - gap. I must admit, I'm not so sure:

"For me, my personal opinion, the big difference in this moment between us and other teams that are dominating English football, is just a matter of time."

- Enzo Maresca