Enzo Maresca: Chelsea coach jokes about singing performances and title ambitions

Enzo Maresca, the new head coach of Chelsea FC, recently gave his first detailed interview in Atlanta. Known for his meticulous preparation, Maresca joked that he is not contractually obliged to perform a song, as his fellow Italian Antonio Conte did. Nonetheless, he added, "If someone said that singing would bring us the title, then I would sing every night!" Chelsea is currently not considered a favorite for the Premier League title next May. The team has not won a trophy since being taken over by the Todd Boehly-Clearlake consortium two years ago and finished last season 28 points behind Manchester City. Maresca is well aware of the challenges, having previously worked as an assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, where he enjoyed great success. Chelsea is currently in intense preparation. Despite a recent 4-1 debacle against Celtic, Maresca maintains a positive attitude and is focused on preparing his team for the new season. His vision is to bring Chelsea closer to styles of play similar to Manchester City, but he stresses that this will require time and patience. While Maresca indicates that he has been inspired by Guardiola, he values maintaining his own identity as a coach. He resists comparisons that paint him as merely a Guardiola clone. "I want to play in a way that suits us," he explained. Maresca’s coaching team includes notable coaches like Manuel Pellegrini and Carlo Ancelotti, who have influenced his career. As he addresses the challenges and expectations, Maresca highlights the positive attributes of the players he has found at Chelsea. Particularly, Cole Palmer, who scored an impressive 25 goals last season, is seen as a beacon of hope. Maresca hinted that he has already developed concrete plans for the style of play but also recognizes the need for continuous adaptation. When asked how he would celebrate a potential triumph, he responded: "I love cigars, especially Partagas, because my father smokes them." The coming weeks will show whether Maresca will be the spark that leads Chelsea back to success after two years without silverware.