“I think every manager has their own idea or style. Mine is quite clear. Last year was very good but that is finished. It’s a new chapter, a new squad, and a new club. I’m very happy to be here.” These were the words of Enzo Maresca as he took charge of Chelsea, and since his arrival, his impact has been unmistakable.

With Chelsea sitting 5th in the Premier League, having scored 11 goals in their first five matches and maintaining an average possession of 57.07%, Maresca's tactical identity is starting to take shape.

His vision is not just about results but also a dynamic, flexible approach to football. Under his leadership, Chelsea has crafted 17 big chances so far—placing them 5th in the league in this category—while fielding the youngest team in the Premier League, a testament to both the potential and promise in this new chapter.

On paper, Maresca's team plays in a 4-2-3-1 formation, but during games, Chelsea changes to a 3-2-5 setup when they have the ball and a 4-4-2 when they don't have the ball. This flexibility, influenced by Pep Guardiola's strategy of using fullbacks in a different way, is a key part of Chelsea's strong control of the ball.

1️⃣ Inverted Fullbacks: Marc Cucurella and Malo Gusto play pivotal roles as inverted fullbacks, with Cucurella frequently tucking into the midfield alongside Moisés Caicedo. This not only adds numerical superiority in central areas but also allows Chelsea to control the middle third, dictating the tempo of play.

2️⃣ Midfield Control: Enzo Fernández serves as the deep-lying playmaker, orchestrating Chelsea’s build-up play. His ability to drop between the center-backs and play long diagonal balls is crucial for switching the point of attack, while Moisés Caicedo provides defensive stability by covering spaces vacated by the inverted fullbacks.

3️⃣ Advanced Midfield Role: Cole Palmer, in the No. 10 role, operates between the lines with freedom, linking the midfield and attack. His technical ability and intelligence in exploiting space left by defenders create numerous chances. This fluid midfield trio ensures that Chelsea consistently has numbers in central areas, enabling sustained pressure and attacking fluidity.

4️⃣ Attacking Dynamics: On the wings, Noni Madueke and Jadon Sancho are given the license to roam inside and stretch defenses. Madueke excels in 1v1 situations, often dragging defenders out of position, while Sancho drifts inside to create space for overlapping fullbacks. Nicolas Jackson, spearheading the attack, plays a pivotal role in pressing the opposition’s defense, stretching the backline with his well-timed runs and linking up play in the final third.

Maresca’s defensive approach revolves around two core principles—pressing high to regain possession quickly and maintaining structural integrity during transitions. When pressing, Chelsea transitions into a 4-4-2 shape, with one of the midfielders stepping up to join the forwards in cutting off central passing lanes. This forces the opposition to play down the flanks, where Chelsea’s fullbacks and wingers can quickly trap and win the ball back.

However, despite their tactical flexibility, one area Chelsea needs to improve is in defending transitions. Teams that drop deep into a back three or sit back in a low block, like Nottingham Forrest, can expose Chelsea’s defensive vulnerabilities by countering through the central areas or exploiting spaces behind the fullbacks.

Over the last two years, Chelsea have spent over £1 billion on young, talented players—some already established, but most filled with immense potential. If Enzo Maresca continues on this trajectory and his tactical prowess meshes with the development of these players, Chelsea could become the dominant force in world football for many years to come.

Though it's still early days in the 2024/25 season, Chelsea's current form suggests they are well on their way to securing a top-four finish in the Premier League. Should the tactical framework Maresca has put in place reach its full potential, the Blues may soon be clear of every team in Europe, cementing their place as a footballing powerhouse.