Maresca Blames Pochettino for Chelsea’s Woes After Disastrous Preseason

• Enzo Maresca has voiced concern over Chelsea's defensive habits with the new season less than two weeks away
• Maresca watched his side ship in twelve goals as they won only one game in his first pre-season tour as the head coach
• The Italian tactician will be keen on getting a working formula at the back as he seeks to compete for trophies on all fronts next season

Chelsea's new head coach Enzo Maresca has appeared to heap the blame on his predecessor, Mauricio Pochettino, for the club's defensive woes.

The Blues endured a rocky start to life under Maresca in their pre-season tour of the United States of America.

Enzo Maresca's performance in pre-season

The Blues won only one of their five games in America, beating Club America 3-0 at the start of the month. They lost three games against Celtic, Manchester City and Real Madrid and drew against League One opposition Wrexham.

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Fans have voiced their concern after the club conceded 12 goals in their five games. Maresca has trialled out new defensive partnerships following the exit of veteran Thiago Silva and the surprise decision to leave Trevoh Chalobah in England.

Club captain Reece James has been deployed as an inverted full-back, with Maresca opting to use wingers as wing-backs in one of the games. The former Leicester City manager has yet to get his desired results, which is now a concern ahead of the new season.

Chelsea boss blames Pochettino

Speaking after the Real Madrid defeat in Charlotte, Maresca appeared to blame the former managers for the club's crisis.

"It is a habit. We are not working on a high defensive line. I think it is from last year or from years ago. We are trying to drop the defensive line four or five metres so that we can have an advantage and not concede balls behind. Last season, we conceded many goals with this problem, and hopefully, we can solve it very soon," he said, as captured by Hayters TV.

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Chelsea open their 2024/2025 Premier League campaign in under two weeks with a home clash against defending champions Manchester City.

Chelsea halt Osimhen pursuit

At the same time, Briefly News has reported that Chelsea will not sign Victor Osimhen and will instead pursue another striker of Nigerian descent.

Osimhen has been linked with a Premier League exit with his future at Napoli uncertain.

He had been touted to join the Blues, but the club has opted for another striker in La Liga.

Source: TUKO.co.ke