Maresca has a huge amount of forward power at his disposal.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is enjoying the challenge of balancing his star-studded attack after his side cruised to a 5-0 victory over Barrow in the Carabao Cup. With an array of talent upfront, including Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, and Mykhailo Mudryk, Maresca finds himself grappling with the "problem" of having too many attacking options. But for him, it’s a challenge he welcomes.
Tuesday's dominant performance saw Chelsea extend their tally to 19 goals in eight games this season. Nkunku, who netted a hat-trick, was the standout performer as he made his first start in four games, while summer signing Pedro Neto scored his debut goal for the club.
Maresca’s men have shown depth and flexibility, with a rotating squad and tactical shifts, but the manager knows that with such offensive firepower comes a delicate balance between attack and defense.
"A Nice Problem" — Managing Chelsea’s Attack
After the game, Maresca spoke openly about the challenge of fitting all his attacking players into the team. "It’s a nice problem when you have two strikers that continue to score," he said, referring to the red-hot form of Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson. Jackson, with four Premier League goals to his name, has been the manager’s go-to striker, while Nkunku, Chelsea’s top scorer across all competitions with six goals, has often found himself on the bench in the league.
"Both Jackson and Nkunku are doing fantastic, not only because they score, but the way they work off the ball, the way they sacrifice for the team," Maresca explained. "The problem is the defensive balance. We can think to play with Nicolas, Christo, Joao, Cole, Noni – fantastic. But then who is defending? Me and you?"
It’s clear that the manager is cautious about overloading his team with attacking options, acknowledging that while it's tempting to throw all his stars into the mix, maintaining defensive solidity remains a priority. Maresca humorously referenced the challenges of balancing attack and defense, noting that his eagerness to get all his attacking players on the pitch must be tempered by practical concerns.
A Flexible System Based on Opposition
Maresca has already shown tactical flexibility this season. His approach has changed game by game, depending on the opposition. In the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace earlier in September, Malo Gusto played a more conservative role, stepping into midfield from right-back, while against Barrow, both Gusto and Ben Chilwell were given the freedom to push forward and operate as attacking wingers.
"How we prepare the game depends on how the other team defends or attacks," Maresca explained. "Palace was one plan, Barrow was another. Against Barrow, Malo and Chilwell played like attacking midfielders on the ball. It’s to create overloads in some parts of the pitch and give the guy on the ball more options."
The Italian manager emphasized that his goal is to provide his players with as many solutions as possible on the pitch, allowing them to make the best decisions in real time. This approach highlights Maresca’s tactical acumen and his belief in a fluid, adaptable system.
🎈 Stamford Bridge could get used to this.#CFC | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/kMlB2oiMLi
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 25, 2024
The Depth of Chelsea’s Squad
Chelsea’s squad depth was on full display against Barrow, with Maresca making 11 changes from the side that beat West Ham at the weekend. The lineup emphasized the wealth of options available to the head coach following another busy summer in the transfer market. New arrivals like Pedro Neto, who scored his first goal for the club, are beginning to find their feet, while established stars like Joao Felix and Mykhailo Mudryk continue to develop their roles within the team.
Nkunku’s return to form with a hat-trick only adds to Maresca’s selection headache. "It’s fantastic to have these kinds of options," the manager said, adding that it’s crucial to rotate the squad and keep players fresh for the long season ahead.
Chelsea’s Defensive Dilemma
Despite the wealth of attacking riches, Maresca remains cautious about leaving his defense exposed. Chelsea's backline, anchored by Moises Caicedo, has been solid this season, but the manager knows that too much attacking focus could leave them vulnerable.
The game against Barrow saw Gusto and Chilwell push high up the pitch, providing attacking support but leaving more defensive responsibility on Caicedo. Maresca noted that it’s all about finding the right balance. "When you lose the ball, not all of them can defend at the same level," he said, underlining the importance of structure and discipline even in attacking situations.
Looking Ahead
Chelsea’s 5-0 win over Barrow was a statement of intent, but Maresca knows that the real challenges lie ahead as the team faces tougher opposition. With the Premier League and the Champions League fixtures piling up, rotation and tactical flexibility will be key to managing the squad.
As Chelsea heads into a busy stretch of the season, Maresca will need to continue finding the right balance between attack and defense. But for now, the Italian is relishing the opportunity to work with one of the most exciting collections of attacking talent in Europe.
