One factor that Mauricio Pochettino did handle to do as Chelsea boss final season was begin to flip Stamford Bridge right into a bit extra of a fortress, with a greater dwelling file than some latest predecessors.
The significance of being sturdy at dwelling ought to by no means be underneath estimated, and Enzo Maresca has an opportunity to get the ball rolling (actually) in that sense this coming Sunday as The Blues welcome Inter to Stamford Bridge for our remaining (official) pre-season pleasant. I say official as there could possibly be a behind closed doorways recreation within the week subsequent week, or an inter-teams pleasant with Maresca’s beginning Xl to face Metropolis.
In fact, Sunday’s recreation IS only a pleasant, so as soon as once more I’m not going to get too overwhelmed up in regards to the consequence. However it’s a good probability for Maresca to introduce himself to the Chelsea stadium followers for the primary time, an opportunity to begin that relationship, that rapport, one thing that’s going to be SO vital for him and his time right here. Chelsea followers need and want a reference to the pinnacle coach, and this was one in every of Pochettino’s downfalls as he failed to do this. It’s so vital to do that, followers assist is every part in so some ways, not only for the pinnacle coach.
Profitable in opposition to Inter in entrance of some followers who’re going to be with Maresca dwelling and away all season, is definitely going to most likely be crucial recreation by way of outcomes of the whole pre-season thus far. An opportunity to present followers one thing to imagine in, some indicators and moments of positivity, some causes to be hopeful of the season forward.
Followers will, or ought to, perceive the place we’re at proper now and can’t count on miracles. I stated within the week, I believe round two months in is after we ought to absolutely see Maresca’s system and elegance of play in place. Can we afford to attend that lengthy and will we already be too far behind at that time? That’s a real regarding query. However there’s additionally each probability that we get outcomes and we even see Maresca’s soccer in full circulation method earlier than that, so we mustn’t at all times count on the worst, simply perhaps put together for it.
Inter shall be robust opponents, everyone knows that. It’s a superb take a look at forward of the opening Premier League recreation in opposition to Manchester Metropolis that can come every week later.
I’m positive that Maresca shall be tempted to begin Cole Palmer on Sunday, and I’m intrigued to see if Marc Cucurella will get the nod forward of Malo Gusto at left again. This would be the greatest name he’ll make and shall be a sign of what he’ll go along with in opposition to Metropolis the next weekend.
There’s a variety of different choices that he’ll have to be made, with that midfield headache that I hold speaking about being the primary ‘drawback’ he’ll face by way of beginning picks.
I imagine what he’ll need to do in opposition to Inter is use the identical group who he’ll choose in opposition to Metropolis, at the least as closest to it as doable (if accidents and fatigue enable).
Nico Jackson might get some minutes on Sunday, however I nonetheless see that as unlikely at this stage as a consequence of how dangerous his damage was.
One other fascinating name shall be between the sticks. Did Filip Jorgensen do sufficient to maintain Robert Sanchez out and go into the season because the beginning keeper? I personally assume it is going to be Sanchez.
So Sunday’s lineup would possibly inform so much. I’m not going to try to foretell it, and fortuitously because it’s a pleasant we will nonetheless make the adjustments we have to and Maresca can nonetheless take one last more take a look at a variety of his gamers.
The consequence might actually assist Maresca begin off on the suitable foot with The Blues fan base. It’s completely not the be all and finish all, but it surely might actually assist proceedings early doorways forward of the brand new seasons beginning. However I believe what is perhaps extra vital is watching our line of defense and seeing if the gamers and supervisor have sorted that out collectively or not. As I stated within the week, it appears so easy to kind out for me and simply wants a vocal chief dictating it on the again in-game and if not, Maresca himself dictating it in-game.
Let’s see what occurs.
