HOW FAR Can Chelsea Go With These Players Under Enzo Maresca?

[@sazmurph540]

First thing that came to mind for me is that there is only 1 new player in your lineup, that wasn't part of the team last year. Last year about half the team was new. I understand we have a new manager but the players have all worked together on the pitch. So dare I say it, there is an element of stability this year? We'll see.

[@samsungsaracen]

Lavia better than Hall. Chilwell will start.

[@jvonemolap0921]

Maresca will make a history for being back to back champions from Championship to Premiere League

[@fenner203]

Hey Yan I’ve been waiting for your post all day after church. Happy Sunday bro

[@cassidycarpede8689]

He's one of my favs and awkwardly chatty because he leaves no details unturned 😂

[@iamjimb]

I watched after church also!

[@mcdudely]

Jackson and Nkunku played so well in preseason last year. I think they have great chemistry and would kill it! Add in Palmer and thats a great attacking front.

[@thomasmurray3920]

Jackson and Maatsen had a good connection in preseason, at least the game I saw, yet Maatsen never won over Poch.

[@mikeyminit5059]

​@@thomasmurray3920This same Poch didn't want Palmer but the powers that be forced the player upon him. He was won over and the rest is history...

[@samsungsaracen]

. Jackson . Sterling Nkunku Palmer . Enzo Caicedo . Chillwell Colwill Fofana James . Sanchez

[@alibabar864]

Add Morata and Osimhen and John Stones and Chiesa and Mane and Oblak and we are ready to go for next season.

[@mok2203]

@@alibabar864Morata was such a big disappointment at Chelsea. You will never see him close to Stamford Bridge ever again imo

[@ObiKwabKenobi]

Solid choices Yann; IMO Palmer will inherit KDH’s role at Leicester. Cucurella is benched for Colwill who slides over to make way for Tosin/Benoit. This means Reese inverts to CDM with Enzo at the base of the box midfield headed by Cole x Moises. Nkunku will likely takeover the LW, like you said, potentially swapping with Jackson at times. The RW “should” be Noni, as he fits the profile best, at current, because this spot is to be filled by Estevao/Kendry longterm. Playing Cole there is pointless, Maresca wants the player hugging the touchline, negating Palmer’s best skills being in the mix. The coach was hired to play the major investments, he will do so, best to have Cole deputize there on occasion, while learning the KDH role. Only my thoughts, and whomever reads this, I hope you’re doing well. I truly hope that for you. 🫡

[@samsungsaracen]

Interesting points.. IMO Jackson Palmer Nkunku Sterling will start whilst; Giui Mudryk Madueke KDH Are benched. Enzo Caicedo Lavia start Casadei Willian Kendry next up. James and Chillwell will rotate with Cucurella and Gusto. Colwill Tosin Fofana will compete with Veiga Dissasi Badiashile. Looking forward to Maresca chelsea team .

[@mok2203]

Very good comment. Pretty sure we will see Maresca trying that formation. It won’t be easy for the coach to find the right formations, will be extremely interesting and certainly a bit worrying at times.

[@AfrobeatsGem]

I don't understand how Maresca saw Sanchez first hand against Leicester last season and still says Sanchez is who he wants. If you don't understand what I'm saying watch the match on YT

[@EveryOtherWeekendRVA]

I think top four is really doable with this squad. A new GK would really help too

[@oozyvsak47ll31]

With the right tactics, positive mentality, hard work, passion and persistence. This team can win the league and more...

[@Paul-vl2wg]

I will let you off for the daft comment as it is Sunday, and can only assume it has been a heavy weekend that has scrambled any level of intelligence that you have🤣🤣

[@ironicvirus1496]

Our squad just can't compete with City and Arsenal, never mind 1 game a week Newcastle and Liverpool

[@thierryhenry674]

@@ironicvirus1496 No, you can. Poch just isn’t tactically that sophisticated, the level of complexity of his tactics is not close to Maresca’s level. In the past, Chelsea didn’t play as many small/short technical ballers as possible on the pitch. That has affected their results.

[@oozyvsak47ll31]

@@Paul-vl2wg you are dumb asf..

[@wc899]

​@@Paul-vl2wgyou are the daft person in here and a nobody

[@PhilRM]

To add Lavia to your lineup, you could put Enzo in KDH position and Lavia as deep playmaker.

[@samsungsaracen]

. Jackson . Nkunku Palmer . Enzo Caicedo . Lavia . Chilwell Colwill Fofana James . Sanchez

[@ShinnaDEW]

Sanchez(or hopefuly a new GK) - Cucurella(Veiga/Chilwell) - Colwill(Badiashile) - Tosin(Fofana/Disasi) Reece(Gusto) - Enzo(Lavia) - Caicedo(Santos) - Palmer as 8/10 Hybrid(KDH) - Nkunku LW(Mudryk + new signed young LW) - Sterling RW(Noni) - Jackson(Nkunku + new signed Striker). Thats my starting 11 with backups based on current squad. With Estevao and Paez joining next summer i assume Cole has to shift more into a central position anyways. Will be interesting how we are going forward with Nkunku. Cause we have more or less 5 players who will demand to be a starter going into the 26/27 season. With Enzo, Caicedo, Cole, Kendry and Estevao leaving room just for a striker. Hence the talk about Nkunku might be forced into a no.9 / false 9 role already this season. Same will basicly apply to Mudryk. If he doesnt get realy into gears i would assume his days will be limited at Chelsea. TBH i wouldnt mind if Chelsea would loan him to Marsaille. Let him play under DeZerbi again. He might finaly grow into the left winger we all would like to see.

[@alibabar864]

Pochettinho should have stayed.

[@Monochromatic_Spider]

Having Caicedo going forward while James (or Gusto) stay back is, to me anyway, a tactical own goal. Caicedo is good but he's nowhere near "best in the league" good at going forward, and his ability to support an isolated Palmer is questionable. James and Gusto are arguably both top 3 attacking right backs in the league. Ignoring a competitive advantage because it wasn't one he had at Leicester does not strike me as sound reasoning. An argument can be made about the distance, but that argument only really holds water if we transition quickly. If we transition as Leicester-speeds then the distance for repositioning can be covered without the right back destroying himself. To be brutally honest, if that is how Maresca has the team play then that would make me lose a bit of faith in his decision making. Edit: Also, I am fairly sure that Tosin is going to start at RCB. Fofana hasn't played for three years. It would surprise me immensely if his body can take regular 90 minute football just yet. I suspect his focus for first half of the season is mainly to get fit and get minutes here and there. Edit2: The most obvious alternative to KDH in that de facto number 10 role is Chukwuemeka, IMO. Good going forward, originally a midfielder. Putting Gallagher in that role makes very little sense. Plays on all the things that Gallagher isn't really that good at. If anything, Gallagher's best fit here would be the RCM, IMO.

[@romeoalisonsuperromeo7184]

You know football 💯.. Your Fofana and Chukwuemeka points are elite..

[@samsungsaracen]

. Jackson . Sterling Nkunku . Chillwell Lavia Palmer James . Cucurella Colwill Gusto . Sanchez

[@makskauzny3794]

Good lineup, I agree with you on Enzo beeing the deepest midfielder, and Jackson being on the left with Nkunku striker, and not the other way around like a lot of people are proposing

[@thierryhenry674]

Now, with a Pep system, Chelsea is going to be unstoppable, playing beautiful football. They need to play as many small/short technical baller as possible on the pitch. Palmer is extremely Spanish, he graduates from Man City academy, so he is very tiki taka capable and skill moves capable. Lavia and Sterling played under Pep too. So they have enough tekkyness and silkyness to play in that system. New guy from La Masia would also help a lot.

[@romeoalisonsuperromeo7184]

Can you please stop talking about Chukwuemeka getting sold? He’s one of our best players.. what are you doing?

[@luchofutbol8539]

Was he really? I just remember one good goal vs Liverpool then getting injured. Yeah, he had a terrific season.

[@samsungsaracen]

Sell Lukaku and Kepa

[@agd712]

So pumped to see the boys vs Madrid in Charlotte, NC, USA and start getting a sense of the preferred line up and shape

[@nlsnmrgn_theblukid]

Don't forget ppl, we will need a rotational squad bc of the number of games we are in this year(and hopefully continually in the ECL) we will need the players to be fighting for places. Also, who is to say that Chilly starts the season and reece inverts and Cucu gives us a different style? I like how we have many questions about how we lineup...same goes for our opposition. #ktbffh

[@riya4144]

Last year with new players, lots of injuries, no tactical formation we still managed to get top 6. This year we should hopefully do better, with players settled in, better tactics...

[@kennyo0079]

Just because you don’t understand tactics doesn’t mean there was no tactical formation

[@shawngreenjr.9548]

I can't stand seeing Sanchez in goal. This club needs to do something about the GK position because it is crucial for Maresca. Sanchez costed us too many points last season and I don't want that to happen this season

[@Robert-v6r2u]

we need a goalkeeper

[@samsungsaracen]

Sign Maignan sell kepa

[@j8nnt4]

A first team without Gusto! 🤦🏼‍♂️

[@philthatcher6111]

I honestly believe Tosin and Dewsbury Hall will both be pushing for an England squad spot not too far down the line. Chelsea will benefit from their experience. Love the new striker and left beck singings... To be honest I'd like Chelsea to put all their money on one world class singing now albeit a Keeper or senior striker

[@billmcintyre8558]

I think tosin will end up playing for Nigeria

[@PuzzledlifeTV]

totally agree with ya line young padawan - with the exception of sanchez (he's gone to the dark side)

[@rodneymuyanga5365]

I love this kind of content 👍. Show and tell format.

[@Michaelf-ox]

New goalkeeper is such a no brainier. Almost criminal negligence to not get one. Even loaning Petro if not Sanchez to accommodate it, squad wise should be priority numero uno

[@seanbayard2012]

You were close with that cole Palmer winning the match dream

[@MussaMbowani]

I feel we have a strong squad. It will be tough for the manager to come up with a first eleven. But its a good problem to have. I rate Lavia and Gusto highly. But its hard to leave James out of the team.

[@Vibewit.MrPrince]

Pretty decent 11. I will go same but with Petrovic in post, nkunku for KDH, Jackson for nkunku and the mudrky comes in on the left.

[@jjgallaher]

What I wish is this same Cucu and James fullback, but what I wish is that they'd switch off inverting. It's a tactic that I feel would make it more difficult for opposition teams to figure out, and I feel Chelsea would be able to work seamlessly.

[@martinyeboah5526]

Am happy England lost to Spain the best team of the tournament undoubtedly underwise the noise would have been too much for us

[@bbartk3]

That line-up leaves wings unoccupied. You can't have Cucu and Jackson on the same side, who's gonna play wide? Plus D-Hall and Jackson will often end up in the same space. Same with the right sight, you want James to form a back 3 and in front play Palmer that will shift to the center. That makes no sense in possession based tactic. On the left we need a winger that can actually play wide. On the right somehow allow James/Gusto to move forward, maybe by dropping one of the midfielder to form a back 3.

[@josephbarker6608]

For me not very far, the main issues have not been addressed, a top keeper and striker have not been signed have they

[@samsungsaracen]

GK: Sign Maignan, sell kepa. Striker: Sign Osimhen, sell lukaku

[@dt6355]

Loved how u used futbin, he’s one of us

[@jameshaddow2107]

Would people rather : 1) Reece James inverts and Chilwell plays 2) Cucurella inverts and Reece drops into back 3

[@lindokuhleshandu7684]

1🤌 cucurella is not aware of his surroundings. Just leaves too much space for the opposition wide forwards

[@spoots1234]

We have a good squad. Somewhat bloated though, esp in midfield. KDH is our only real 10 short pass link up type player, but the box-box/DM role's overflowing.

[@markwh58]

Looks great. For me switch Nkunku and Jackson and that 11 in form can beat anyone.

[@SirEEf13]

Despite all reports of Rob Sanchez starting under Maresca I refuse to believe that he's any better in his footwork than Petrovic. Maresca will find out soon enough. The only keeper I could see starting over Petro is Kepa but he's apparently still on his way out. There will be no RB to RCB. It's the LB. RB goes into midfield. Maresca made it clear that he will not change his system and while I'd be totally fine with that part getting swapped around I'll believe it when I see it. Colwill and Fofana might be something for the end of the season but I don't see Fofana starting from the get go. I don't even remember whether Fofana is any good with passing the ball. It's gonna be Tosin on the right for the start of the season and then let's see what happens. Jackson on the left and Nkunku up front just annoys me a whole lot. We've been looking at tall and aeriall strong STs throughout this window and that's incidentally also the type of ST Maresca's system needs. How is Nkunku supposed to get a hold of the crosses flying in? And there will be a lot of crosses judging by how Leicester played. Jackson could actually do that and Nkunku could easily play LW. Why go through the trouble of jeopardizing both their performances when you could just go with what makes sense? If Nkunku isn't playing CAM then he'll 100% play LW. I don't even see Jackson starting at LW in the future.

[@wieslawlungu8391]

We certainly will have a strong starting 11 and still have quality on the bench. We can go all the way depending on how quickly the players adapt to Maresca's philosophy

[@SharZamarBenjamin]

I agree with everything here just LF I'd go with mydruk or Sterling rotation also chalobah is very solid pick bro don't sleep on that

[@deanfreeman3623]

I agree with most of it, I think most people would would have 8 or 9 of the same 11. I think people focus a lot on the 'in possession' set up and tend to ignore the 'out of possession' fit. RJ at RB out of possession is fine, RJ in the back 3 in possession I think may waste him? Cucu inverting in possession is fine, but I'm not convinced of him as LB out of possession. I'd think about inverting the RB (RJ) and possibly having Levi as LB. Or maybe Badi. The non inverting FB is a very defensive role I think. No doubt RJ could do it, but could Malo? Suits him even less that it suits RJ. It's difficult enough fitting everyone in as it is - do we need more 1st team signings right now??

[@lieutenantwolf5437]

Come on England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿💪

[@mikeoxmells-grim796]

😁

[@johnshiel6252]

It makes more sense having Fernández nearer the strikers and Caicedo nearer the defenders. Fernández can prove killer short passes to our front men and chip in with goals. Caicedo covers more ground and is quick and strong to recover the ball. To me its a logical to play them this way. Jackson and Palmer I totally agree. Unkunko needs to be a support striker/midfielder. The idea of KDH starting in the Premier I'm not keen, maybe Lavia instead. Definetly need a new striker and a keeper (top class) to challenge City!

[@luismontesinos3054]

In Argentina Fernández has played much better as a deep playmaker and Caicedo is better as an 8

[@josephramahotswa6842]

DBH is gonna shock a lot of ppl

[@Rob-oi9mf]

Sanchez needs to do a lot of work on playing out from the back.. Try passing to a Chelsea player.Otherwise hes a good shot stopper.

[@Matchday-FC]

Yan, I think you've got lavia's profile wrong. As much as he is a strong dribbler and good in tight spaces, he is more similar to enzo as a deep lying playmaker and a 6 rather than an 8. Throughout his youth and at Southampton he was the player in front of the back 4 that would get the ball and dictate play, you've compared him to kovacic but he doesn't look to dribble on purpose nearly as much and his dribbles are usually as a result of a bad touch or what the opposition has given him

[@andrewjewell3142]

Top 4 is a minimum i want a title challenge let's see how pre season goes look what happened last time with Nkunku but im optimistic for the upcoming season, I would have the same team as our strongest 11 but don't forget Maresca will be looking at the keeper and striker positions to see if we need a change

[@kylebradbury5032]

It’s so clear that we need Lw St and GK we have needed the gk and at for years but never do it such a joke. We are like Arsenal when everyone knew they needed a cb but never addressed it

[@Harrywaters480]

I think we’ll see plenty of Gusto at LB and James at inverted RB.

[@RODNEY1234-j]

Football is coming homeeeee!!! And then back too the almighty chels 😍💙

[@vern187]

100 💯 agree with this lineup.

[@Osa1501]

We were the third best team in England under pochettino with an injury hit squad in 2024. Throughout the season we were only 3 points behind fifth. If we not top four next season, then egbalhi, bohley and perhaps even maresca needs to get sacked

[@Paul-no4bo]

Can’t disagree with much of that side though Sanchez not for me. I think it’s going to be a big year for Lavia though.

[@jameshaddow2107]

I feel like KDH playing makes us worse overall as he takes up a staked midfield spot

[@yuvalreiss9750]

There is no need to search for a left winger. Ben Chilwell can play well in that position and he is known for scoring goals. Chelsea should further invest only in a world-class goalkeeper and an established striker. In all other positions they are stocked.

[@kazan762]

BLOATED SQUAD

[@ErickSvvv]

Either we finish 3rd or win the whole the damn thing.

[@goodies7813]

i am simple man, just give me a 3-5-2 formation, with this starting 11: Jackson. Palmer. Moreira. Caicedo. Angelo. Gusto. Enzo. Colwill. Tosin. James, Petrovic.

[@easy8237]

From what I seen from all the Chelsea fan videos. A lot has been said about we finally gonna cook and being very very positive. So a title challenge next season with a domestic trophy?

[@iorle]

which positions do we see K. paez and E. Willian playing in this maressca system🤔

[@Blue_Spear_1905]

Lol... Team selection nightmare for EM... All the best gaffer (Jackson, Nkunku, Guiu, Washington, Palmer, Mudryk, Noni, Sterling, Carney, Dewsbury, Gabriel, Santos, Enzo, Caicedo, Lavia, Conor, Casadei, Kellyman, Chilly, Cucu, DIsasi, Levi, Tosin, Badiashile, Gusto, James, Wesley, Trev, Viega) lol

[@lampsblues67]

So, from all the new signings only KDH makes the starting line-up?

[@whaveneywatson8012]

we don't need any other players, we have a great squad, wud pick kepa over sanchez and petro, but outfield is covered and safe, up the blues!!!! 💙

[@Majikal.22]

What am sure about Palmer is a Gem

[@olasunkanmikassim5119]

Like Sanchez did against Arsenal

[@sukhdeepsanghera2897]

Enzo fernandez needs this season to show what he can do, injury etc, 2busy carrying messi kit bag, and begging to play in the olympics now.

[@JONO30]

Joao felix

[@AdrianBeckford-dd4px]

How did the match go yesterday yan didn't here u talk bout it

[@Vet-jq1fx]

Why won't they buy Strikers first? Yes yes a whole squad of young up and comers but get a guaranteed veteran striker.

[@liamo7759]

If the stay injury free top four but who knows with this new manager

[@thebradley1971]

Sanchez is a huge mistake imo absolutely useless with his feet he's a mistake waiting to happen, we need a proper No.1 wont win anything with him between the sticks

[@kingblaq1354]

1. Need Nkunku as close to goal as possible. By far the best finisher in the team.. all these CAM nkunku experiment people are throwing about is simply ignorance. Nkunku CF or SS no midfield experiment. 2. Like it or not the depending on the fitness of romeo lavia i fear for the strength of our midfield under pressure. Asides jackson the whole attack dont seem interested in pressing or being aggressive off the ball. Thats a big worry for me. 3. We have 2 of the most underwhelming wingers in the top7 in the prem in mudryk and sterling Summerville more impressive than Desire if we put PR aside and watch the players for 90mins. 4. Lastly we need to be super patient. watched over 5 games 90mins of leicester losses in the championship last season to see where the weaknesses were. and i have to say that all leeds UTD had to do was man marking aggressively the 2 no.6 making it difficult to build from the back or counter attack. similar to what teams like newcastle,liverpool,man u did to beat us comfortably last season. Optimistic but cautious ⚠ COYB

[@olympia_riverwin1304]

Don't think that they will be any better

[@ironicvirus1496]

If Sanchez proves he's not the guy then Ben Roberts should be fired. Can't employ the guy who's in love with Robert Sanchez

[@kwakuadu-yeboah6326]

pochettinho was a horrible manager with this squad chelsea should have been challenging for the league but we employed a piss poor manager that wasnt tactically and technically inept

[@Majikal.22]

I want him also transform Mudryk

[@Rashdoughan1]

Sanchez is the worst keeper!! Petrovic is much much better

[@thierryhenry674]

Sanchez is so much better.

[@Dominic-cr6ip]

Sometimes you need to hold on. Nowadays your presentation are hmmmmm

[@martincvikl5321]

Let's be hones gallagher is the better version of hall and can be a perfect sub for both 8s. Palmer caicedo 8s and Enzo/lavia in 6

[@brendangiddens3349]

Boehly hinted at a 4-4-3 formation...

[@jjss5999]

Who would rather kepa, Sanchez or petrovic

[@itsagoal182]

Who would rather what?

[@lindokuhleshandu7684]

I don't even want Sanchez in goal like at all🚮 I don't care how good he is with his feet. I'd rather continue to watch petrović or just buy Portuguese GK

[@itsagoal182]

ENGLAND GET BATTERED, EVERYWHERE THEY GO!

[@christianjohn9359]

Lavia is better than both Enzo and caicedo

[@hunterlittle3843]

Futbin 💙

[@Neom43]

Wesley Fofana is overrated

[@steedhunt549]

Sanchez is awful .he passed to other tram a few times and then they scored

[@riisecombat8187]

Come on yamal

[@richarddeamer4334]

PETROVIC--JAMES-FORFANA-COLWILL-CUCCARELLA-ENZO-SANTOS -CIACEDO LAVIA--PALMER -NKUNKU

[@alibabar864]

Chelsea will not finish in top 6 next season.We need to sign Zaha Mendy Oblak Rudiger Haavertz Zaha Mane Morata Osimhen and John Stones and release all these stupid clueless and useless youngsters.

[@iantaylor2302]

You’re forever going on about how positive you are and that you’re an optimist but all I ever hear from your mouth is negativity about both Chelsea and England and it’s getting very old and tired with me ! I keep trying to give you another chance and come back but it’s getting harder and harder, from the terrible singing to the lack of positivity and laughing at your own jokes I’m just about done ! But hearing you say you’re “FRENCH” and English it all kind of makes sense as far as England is concerned but the attitude towards Chelsea can only be because you’re not a real supporter and have been to very few games home and away and season in season out and that’s where the lack of positivity comes from ! KTBFFH ! COME ON YOU ENGERLAND !!!!!

[@itsagoal182]

Haha England! Battered!

[@itsagoal182]

England get baaaaatered, everywhere they go!

[@luchofutbol8539]

GK: New GK RB: Gusto (james too injured, not captian material) CB: Tosin/Chalobah CB: Buy a new CB like Guehi LB: I guess Cucu but lets not sleep on Veiga CDM: KDH, fuck overrated Caicedo with his stupid mistakes plays like shit 95% of the season or play Lavia CM: captian gallagher, and 2nd choice overrated Enzo CAM/CF: Nkunku RW: ICE COLD PALMER (easiest choice ever) LW: new winger like Williams, sell the shit of Mudryk and sterling for 1£. Buy one get one free, both are shit. ST: Jackson, if not Guiu

[@snizzern4530]

england big big favourites to win

[@krazinomusique]

Chelsea for life🔹🔷🔹🔷🔹💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙 wish my team all the best