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Steve Nicol believes the club have got rid of more experienced managers for a comparatively green Maresca due to their desire for excessive control.
Liverpool icon Steve Nicol has criticised the Chelsea hierarchy’s move for Enzo Maresca, who is expected to join the West London club sooner or later.
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10:42 - 28.05.2024
Enzo Maresca: Potential area of concern at Chelsea highlighted
The Leicester City coach, expected to be appointed by the West London club, could face a possible obstacle from the onset of his Stamford Bridge reign.
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10:30 - 28.05.2024
‘A risky choice’ - Former Chelsea defenders uncertain about Enzo Maresca
Frank Leboeuf and Mario Melchiot have reservations about the potential new head coach at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea close in on Enzo Maresca
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Despite reports initially suggesting that the club were offering the Leicester City man a short-term two-year deal with the option of a third, the Blues are seemingly set to appoint the 44-year-old Italian on a five-year contract.
An extra year could be triggered at any point, possibly tying former Manchester City assistant to the club until 2030.
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What Nicol said about Maresca?
Having let go of Thomas Tuchel early into their takeover at Chelsea and parted company with Mauricio Pochettino recently, the erstwhile Liverpool defender questioned the appointment of a manager without any Premier League experience.
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“Manipulatable is a better word,” said Nicol about Maresca’s possibly joining Chelsea. “They’ve had Thomas Tuchel who’s won a Champions League, they’ve had a young guy in Potter, who’s had success in the Premier League, then they get Pochettino then they get rid of him as well.
“They’re looking for somebody they can manipulate. That’s what this looks like. He can be manipulated by the people above.
“They’ve got a plan and they want to do things a certain way and they need a manager that’s aligned with them. If that doesn’t say manipulate, I don’t know what does.”
What comes next for Chelsea?
Chelsea ended sixth in the 2023-24 Premier League season, seeing the Blues miss out on Europa League qualification because of Manchester United’s FA Cup win.
Maresca is expected to be in situ when the club’s preseason resumes in July.
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