Enzo Maresca on Chelsea players buying into new management - 'If they don't buy, they don't play'

Published 21/09/2024 at 14:57 GMT

Enzo Maresca hailed the open-mindedness of his Chelsea squad since taking over as manager of the club, but warned that if players do not buy into his style, "they don't play". Chelsea were dominant in their 3-0 win over London rivals West Ham United at the London Stadium on Saturday, and Maresca told TNT Sports he has been pleased with his squad's approach to the Premier League season.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca during the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Chelsea FC (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Image credit: Getty Images

Enzo Maresca issued an assured warning to his squad that if they do not buy into the new Chelsea way, "they don't play".

Chelsea were at their fluid best to make light work of West Ham United in a comfortable 3-0 victory at the London Stadium live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Saturday.

And, when prompted on the extent to which Chelsea players have bought into his management style since taking charge in the summer, Maresca said: "It's quite easy. If they don't buy, they don't play".

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But the former Leicester City boss said he has had no such issues thus far, and praised the "open-mind" of his squad in an "intense" opening few months under his guise.

Maresca added: "I'm very happy because since we start, they have [had an] open mind - in terms of they want to see things, they want to learn.

"Probably we have been a bit intense with video sessions but in this moment is the moment you need to insist."

Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has been the subject of some criticism during his stint at the club thus far after missing some important chances in front of goal, but his early brace at the London Stadium set his side up for a comfortable afternoon.

Jackson's double took his tally to 21 goals in 50 appearances since joining Chelsea in 2023, alongside eight assists.

And Maresca responded to the critics by defending his striker, conceding that whilst he has missed some chances, that does not necessarily equate to bad performances.

"When a player misses a goal that doesn't mean they're not playing well," Maresca said. "[It] can happen. Against Bournemouth he probably missed two or three goals, too much.

"Overall, his performance was good and today again, I thought the performance was very good in terms of numbers. Goal and assists since we start has been good but off the ball the way he's working with Cole [Palmer]. We are happy."

cole says guardiola 'regrets' letting Palmer go

TNT Sports football expert Joe Cole was full of praise for not only Cole Palmer's electrifying performances in a Chelsea shirt, but also the forward's demeanor in a difficult period for the club.

Palmer scored Chelsea's third just seconds into the second half and has continued where he left off last season - a dazzling breakout campaign which saw him scoop the PFA Young Player of the Year award, alongside his status as one of the Premier League's best attackers.

And Cole believes that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will have "regrets" over allowing Palmer to leave the club to join Chelsea in the summer of 2023, and hailed the England international's intent on getting first-team football in the top-flight.

"It's not often you say Pep Guardiola got one wrong there," Cole said. "I think when he's sitting there of a night time he probably regrets letting Cole Palmer leave.

"I think he loves football. He wants to play football. We see the Foden way of players developing at Man City blooding him in for years. People say he needs to go on loan and play football.

"Cole Palmer just got itchy feet at Man City and was like 'I want to play football, I don't have to be the main man'. I look at him, how he is around his team-mates. He plays with a swagger and he plays with an arrogance.

Chelsea's English midfielder #20 Cole Palmer (C) celebrates after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Chelsea.

Image credit: Getty Images

"He wants to play. He's popular with his team-mates. You can see they enjoy his company, he likes to assist as much as much as he likes to score. I think he's defensively been really good as well when Chelsea have lost the ball this season."

Cole went on to hail Palmer's "personality" during a difficult 2023-24 campaign for Chelsea, adding that the England forward "gave fans something to believe in".

"I just think his personality was a shining light last year at Chelsea when it was all going wrong," Cole said. "There were some players who were not at their best level, and the crowd were getting on their back and everything was going through Cole Palmer.

"He puffed his chest out and he gave the fans something to believe in, his team-mates something to believe in, and now everyone has come with him.

"I think he'll develop into a leader as he gets older, I think he's a superb player and Chelsea, for all the business that hasn't gone right, they certainly got that one right."

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