Enzo Maresca seems to be really happy with how his Chelsea team have developed, and it is not hard to understand why.
Being such a young and inexperienced side with a new manager at the helm, Chelsea had many doubters going into the 2024/25 season.
Yet they finished it with a trophy and top-four finish, making the campaign a very successful one.
Chelsea play Los Angeles FC next and have a chance to win the Club World Cup, but Maresca will be happy with his team, regardless of what happens in America after the progress they have made under him.
Enzo Maresca pleased with Levi Colwill, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke’s progress
When speaking about Chelsea’s progress, Maresca name-checked a few members of his squad.
Levi Colwill, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella and Noni Madueke have all improved significantly this year, according to the Chelsea boss.
Speaking to Chelsea’s official website, Maresca said: “I’ve said many times that you can improve the team if you improve players. I have seen since we started that the players are improving, and that is the most important thing.
“Levi Colwill, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, Noni Madueke, so many of these players are getting better and better.”
Madueke has also spoken to the Blues’ website recently, naming his all-time favourite XI. Madueke named Thiago Silva, Ashley Cole and a couple of other Chelsea legends when picking his team.
The winger is definitely one player who has progressed since Maresca’s arrival last summer. The 23-year-old won his first England cap under him, showing how well his development is coming along.
Enzo Maresca on his own development
Maresca also appears to be happy with his own progress. The Italian has had some difficult moments at Stamford Bridge, not always pleasing supporters with his football.
Indeed, Chelsea fans were furious with Maresca when their team went 2-0 down at home to Ipswich Town in April.
However, the Blues really picked up from that point, and Maresca believes he has learnt a lot during his short time in west London.
In the same interview with Chelsea’s website, he said: “I feel I have developed a lot. It was a fantastic season as I learned a lot day by day and game by game.
“None of it was a surprise because I have worked in England for many years, first at West Ham and also at Manchester City. But for sure, with the amount of games we played, every one was an opportunity to learn things about myself and the team.”
Maresca has not been a first-team manager for long and this is the first time that he has been head coach at an elite club, so the 45-year-old can be satisfied with his achievements.
