Manager: Enzo Maresca (appointed June 2024)
Former Leicester City manager, brought in to implement a possession-based, structured style, influenced by Pep Guardiola (under whom he worked at Man City).
⚽ Current Premier League Standing (as of May 2025):
4th — Qualified for European Champions League, showed improvement compared to last season’s mid-table finish.
Tactical Overview
Formation:
4-3-3 or 3-2-5 in possession (inverted full-backs, high wingers, deep-lying playmaker)
Style of Play:
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High possession, methodical build-up
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Inverted full-backs (e.g., Gusto or Cucurella tucking in)
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Emphasis on positional discipline
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Less chaotic than under Potter/Lampard era
Squad Analysis
Standout Players:
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Cole Palmer – Breakout star, key playmaker and top scorer, thriving in a free role.
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Enzo Fernández – Metronomic in midfield, improving under Maresca’s system.
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Moisés Caicedo – Recovered form after a tough start; key defensive shield.
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Levi Colwill – Versatile defender, strong passing range.
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Reece James – Still struggling with fitness but a world-class talent when available.
⚠️ Under Pressure:
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Raheem Sterling – Inconsistent, often overshadowed by Palmer and young attackers.
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Romeo Lavia – Arguably chelsea’s most important player but has been unlucky due to injury.
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Mykhailo Mudryk – Still not available for the Blues due to failed drug test
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Nicolas Jackson – Work rate is high, finishing still unreliable.
Goalkeepers:
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Djordje Petrović – Solid shot-stopper, earned first-choice spot.
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Robert Sánchez – Now second-choice, good distribution but error-prone.
Transfers – 2024/25
Key Signings:
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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (from Leicester, familiar with Maresca)
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Tosin Adarabioyo (free from Fulham – summer 2025, strong addition)
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Continued investment in youth (e.g., young Brazilians Estevão and Kendry Páez for the future)
Likely Departures:
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João Félix- has not really been able to displace the current chelsea midfielders.
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Armando Broja, Trevoh Chalobah, Malang Sarr – fringe players likely to leave.
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Conor Gallagher – uncertain future due to contract situation and interest from Spurs.
Strengths vs Weaknesses
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|
| Young, high-potential squad | Inconsistent finishing (Jackson, Nkunku) |
| Tactical clarity under Maresca | collapse in midfield due to Lavia absence. |
| Versatile midfield (Enzo, Caicedo, cucurella) | Injury-prone key players |
| Cole Palmer’s creativity and goals | Squad still lacks experienced spine |
Outlook for 2025/26
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Chelsea looks stabilized and growing tactically.
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They narrowly qualified for the European champions league
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Summer 2025 will be crucial: trim the bloated squad, add experienced leaders, and possibly sign a top striker.
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A title challenge is unlikely next season, but top 4 could be the next target except they get a top striker and a backup for Lavia
Chelsea FC – Style of Play under Enzo Maresca (2024/25)
Overall Philosophy:
Enzo Maresca has implemented a structured, possession-dominant system modeled after Pep Guardiola’s positional play. It focuses on:
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Slow, methodical build-up from the back
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Midfield control through overloads and rotations
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High pressing after loss of possession
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Inverted full-backs and staggered midfield lines
⚙️ Typical Build-Up Shape (in possession): 3-2-5
When Chelsea builds from the back:
Example (players interchangeable):
Key Features:
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Back 3: Formed by center-backs + a full-back tucking in (usually James or Cucurella)
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Double pivot: Two deeper midfielders (often Enzo + Caicedo/Lavia)
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Advanced 5: Wingers stay wide, attacking midfielders operate between the lines
Roméo Lavia’s Role: Deep-Lying Midfield Controller
Primary Position: Right-side pivot in the 3-2-5
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Plays beside Enzo Fernández in the first build-up line
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Operates behind the ball, rarely joining final third
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Functions as a single pivot if Enzo moves forward
Tactical Responsibilities for Lavia
| Phase | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Build-up | Ball Progressor | Drops between or next to CBs to receive and recycle possession safely |
| Midfield Control | Anchor/Shield | Screens the back line, covers for inverted FBs, and reads transitions |
| Press Resistance | Escape Valve | Uses close control and body shape to resist pressure and break lines |
| Positional Play | Discipline & Spacing | Holds zone, allows Enzo and others to roam or push higher |
| Defensive Phase | Tackler & Interceptor | Aggressive in duels, cuts off central lanes, supports pressing traps |
Lavia vs. Caicedo in this system:
| Attribute | Lavia | Caicedo |
|---|---|---|
| Ball retention | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Very good |
| Press resistance | ✅ Elite for age | ⚠️ Decent |
| Defensive reading | ✅ Mature | ✅ Strong |
| Tackling | ✅ Strong | ✅ Very strong |
| Forward passing | ⚠️ Needs polish | ✅ More adventurous |
| Tempo control | ✅ Calm under pressure | ⚠️ Sometimes rushed |
Maresca may eventually use Lavia + Enzo as the main pivot duo, especially against lower blocks, while Caicedo rotates in for added physicality and pressing vs tougher opponents.
Why Lavia Fits Maresca’s System Perfectly:
✅ Extremely calm under pressure – crucial for playing out from the back
✅ Reads the game maturely – vital for positional discipline in midfield
✅ Quick decision-making – ideal for maintaining high possession tempo
✅ Flexible – can operate as a lone 6 or in a double pivot
✅ Supports Enzo’s freedom – Enzo can drift higher knowing Lavia holds position
Long-Term Projection
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Once fully fit and settled, Lavia is likely to become Chelsea’s first-choice defensive midfielder, especially in matches where control and technical quality are key.
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He unlocks Enzo’s full potential by taking over the anchoring duties.
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Expect a midfield trio of Lavia – Enzo – Gallagher (or Nkunku/Palmer) against most Premier League sides.
