Chelsea’s Pre-Season Struggles Against Wrexham Highlight Challenges for New Head Coach Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca’s debut as Chelsea’s head coach served as a wake-up call for any Blues supporters who thought this rebuild would be easy.
Chelsea’s pre-season opener against League One side Wrexham ended in a 2-2 draw at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, leaving fans and analysts with plenty to discuss about the team’s performance and future under Maresca.
Late Equalizer Saves Chelsea from Defeat
Chelsea managed to avoid defeat thanks to a late equalizer from Lesley Ugochukwu. The Blues initially took the lead with a goal from Christopher Nkunku in the 35th minute but conceded twice in the second half to Luke Bolton and Jack Marriott in the 58th and 71st minutes, respectively.
The result highlighted some early challenges Maresca and his squad will need to address as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Five Takeaways from the Match:
1. The Risks of Enzo Maresca’s Style
Chelsea’s new head coach Enzo Maresca is known for his commitment to playing out from the back, a style that comes with inherent risks.
The team conceded twice after losing possession in their own half, exposing vulnerabilities in their defensive transitions.
While these friendlies are opportunities to learn and adjust, Maresca will need to ensure his team is better prepared for these scenarios when the competitive season begins.
2. Blues Lose Control in the Second Half
Chelsea’s first half showcased glimpses of Maresca’s tactical approach, with Reece James inverting into midfield alongside Romeo Lavia, and Carney Chukwuemeka and Christopher Nkunku exploiting spaces further up the field.
Noni Madueke and Tyrique George provided width on the wings, flanking Marc Guiu. However, the fluidity was lost in the second half after Maresca made 10 substitutions, including replacing James with Malo Gusto as the inverted right back, leading to a loss of control and coherence.
3. Set-Piece Specialist Shows Impact
Chelsea looked dangerous from set-pieces, a positive sign following the appointment of Bernardo Cueva, a specialist coach brought in from Brentford to address Chelsea’s previously lackluster set-piece performance. Reece James’ corner delivery played a crucial role in setting up Nkunku’s opening goal, showing promise for the team’s offensive set-piece potential moving forward.
4. Lavia Shows Fitness and Potential
Romeo Lavia, whose previous season was marred by injuries, managed to play the entire first half and impressed with his composure and distribution.
His fitness and performance will be crucial for Chelsea in the upcoming season, as he looks to solidify his place in the team’s midfield.
5. A Fiery Start to Pre-Season
The match had an unexpectedly fiery start with Levi Colwill clashing with James McClean just three minutes into the game. The confrontation, which saw both players grappling and pushing each other, could have easily resulted in red cards in a Premier League match. Colwill will need to manage his temper and maintain composure to avoid similar incidents in competitive fixtures.
Chelsea’s Pre-Season Struggles Against Wrexham Highlight Challenges for New Head Coach Enzo Maresca
