⚽Creating Space, Pinning Opponents: The Concept Behind Maresca’s Chelsea

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter! In this issue, we’re focusing on:

1. ⚽The Concept Behind Maresca’s Chelsea

2. 👉2 new training drills for you!📢Exclusive offer for the first 50 people!

⚽The Concept Behind Maresca’s Chelsea

Chelsea’s match against Fulham may not have been their finest hour, but it offered fascinating insights into the tactical adjustments Enzo Maresca has introduced for the new season. After their triumph over Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup final, one thing is clear: Maresca has not only molded a squad of outstanding individuals but also developed a tactical identity that continues to evolve.

We already saw early signs of this approach in the clash with West Ham United, but yesterday’s match further confirmed the direction of travel. Maresca emphasizes a flexible, dynamic style of play that constantly poses fresh problems for the opposition.

(PS: I had also planned to include an analysis of Manchester City’s game against Tottenham, but unfortunately I couldn’t get access to the match footage afterwards.)

Build-up Play in Zone 1: Unexpected Variations

When Chelsea look to build from the back and the goalkeeper is in possession, Maresca has introduced two clever variations to break through the opponent’s first pressing line:

Variation 1: The “Enzo” Rotation

Normally, the team sets up in a classic 4-2 structure. But one striking innovation is how Enzo Fernández positions himself extremely close to Moisés Caicedo. This is no coincidence. At a time when many sides defend with aggressive, man-oriented pressing, this unusual positioning is designed to open a passing lane for the goalkeeper or centre-back.

The space created behind the pair can then be exploited by a forward who drops deeper. The pass is deliberately invited, allowing Chelsea to play more directly and vertically. Enzo himself is rarely the actual target; his movement serves primarily to open up space for others.

Variation 2: The 4-1 Build-Up with an Asymmetrical Midfield

Another fascinating approach is Chelsea’s build-up shape with only one holding midfielder. In this setup, Enzo Fernández drops deep while Moisés Caicedo positions himself much higher, dragging an opposing player with him.

Why only one “number six”?
By deliberately positioning Enzo deeper, he becomes the central anchor, orchestrating play from the back much like a quarterback in American football. Meanwhile, Caicedo—occupying a more advanced role—disrupts the opponent’s pressing structure by pulling his marker away and opening space for teammates.

This asymmetrical setup allows Chelsea to create numerical superiority in midfield, as Caicedo and the attacking midfielders occupy the half-spaces and stretch the opposition’s defensive lines. The trade-off, however, is that Chelsea can be more vulnerable to counter-attacks if possession is lost centrally, since only one player is holding the defensive midfield zone. Maresca, though, seems willing to take that risk in order to inject greater attacking dynamism.

Build-Up in Zone 2: From 3-2 to 3-1

Unlike many other top teams that rely on a midfield double pivot, Maresca places Moisés Caicedo as the lone holding midfielder. Behind him, the defensive line is organized as a back three, usually made up of Marc Cucurella, Trevoh Chalobah, and Tosin Adarabioyo.

What makes this structure unique is the role of Enzo Fernández. He pushes forward into the left half-space while Pedro Neto maintains width on the flank. As a result, Chelsea often build up not in a 3-2, but in a 3-1 shape. When the opposition applies pressure, Enzo drops deeper again to assist in circulation—always from his preferred half-left channel.

The advantage of this setup: even with only one recognised “number six,” Chelsea still have three players (Enzo, Estevão, and Pedro) occupying the central pockets between the lines, pinning the opponent’s defensive unit higher up the pitch.

In practice, the shape in Zone 2 often resembles a 3-1-6, with Gusto and Neto stretching play out wide and Liam Delap spearheading the attack.

Attack and Defence: Courage and Balance

Maresca’s philosophy also shines through in attack: by occupying the spaces between the lines, Chelsea are able to create overloads and frequently commit four or even five players into the penalty area.

The signing of Liam Delap, a physically strong striker who can hold the ball up and provide a real aerial presence, fits perfectly into this approach. With more and more teams defending with a high line, traditional target men are regaining importance as outlets who can turn a long clearance into an attacking opportunity.

Defensively, Maresca has introduced another important adjustment: his side now often drop into a back five (5-4-1). This allows for excellent coverage across the width of the pitch without making the defensive block too static. The line is flexible and shifts dynamically depending on the situation.

The team also demonstrate an impressive work rate, highlighted in one sequence where both Enzo and Neto immediately sprinted back after an attacking move—an illustration of the collective commitment Maresca has instilled in his players.

Conclusion

The 2–0 win over Fulham was far from perfect and did require a bit of luck. Still, Maresca has shown that he’s shaping Chelsea not just for results, but also with bold, innovative ideas on the pitch. I’m curious to see how this tactical evolution develops over the course of the season—and where Chelsea will ultimately finish in the table.

What’s your take on Maresca’s tactical adjustments? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

⚽ Enjoyed this analysis? Help us grow!
If you liked it, please share this newsletter with a fellow coach who’s into tactical detail.

👉2 new training drills for you!📢Exclusive offer for the first 50 people!

Two brand-new training drills are now available. With a monthly or yearly subscription, you’ll get unlimited access to all existing and future videos.

📢 To go along with this new content, I’ve prepared a special offer:
The first 50 people who sign up for the yearly subscription will pay only 30 CHF instead of 40 CHF—locked in for life!

This exclusive deal is my way of thanking the coaching community that has supported me from the very beginning. It’s just for you and not open to the general public.

Here’s how to claim your yearly subscription at the special price:

➡️ Simply send me an email with the subject line “Yearly 30” to [email protected]

The first 50 messages I receive will get a discount code directly from me.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you!

Drills:

Check out our Homepage for exclusive training videos and products.

Was this post forwarded to you? Subscribe here.

Have an idea or feedback to share? [email protected]