Maresca defies expectations in Chelsea's remarkable turnaround

Faced with feuding owners, an overstocked squad, and immense pressure to rescue Chelsea from their slump, Enzo Maresca has defied expectations by restoring stability at Stamford Bridge. His impressive start will face a major test on Sunday as his fourth-placed Chelsea side takes on Premier League leaders Liverpool. Few would have predicted Chelsea would be involved in such a high-stakes clash when Maresca first arrived at Cobham in the summer.

While Liverpool's new boss, Arne Slot, has inherited a solid foundation from Jurgen Klopp's successful tenure, Maresca has had to navigate the unpredictable environment of Chelsea. Stamford Bridge, near Brompton Cemetery, has become a "graveyard" for managerial reputations in recent years. Co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali sacked Thomas Tuchel just 100 days into their reign, despite Tuchel having won the Champions League in 2021. 

Graham Potter, Tuchel's successor, was highly regarded as one of England's best young coaches but was dismissed after just seven months. Mauricio Pochettino fared little better, leaving after one season, paving the way for Maresca's arrival in the summer.

Maresca, who guided Leicester to Premier League promotion last season, was seen by many as another short-term figure. The 44-year-old Italian is only in his second season as a manager, having previously worked under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. 

Amid reports of power struggles between Boehly and Eghbali, Maresca has been quietly steering Chelsea towards a culture change. Despite Chelsea's lavish spending of over £1 billion under the current ownership, their chaotic recruitment has contributed to the club's struggles.

Maresca's time with Guardiola has influenced his management style, allowing him to get the best out of a previously underperforming squad. Young talents like Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, and Levi Colwill have flourished under his guidance, while players like Nicolas Jackson and Enzo Fernandez have shown significant improvement.

"I'm very happy with the players, their level, and our style. We only started two or three months ago, but I'm excited about the journey," Maresca said.

Chelsea, unbeaten in their last seven games across all competitions, have scored 16 league goals this season, second only to Manchester City. A strong performance against Liverpool would further solidify Maresca's impact as he continues to defy the odds and guide Chelsea back toward success.