- Enzo Maresca values a certain quality in his players that Sterling does not have
- They have focused on players with a specific profile in their recruitment
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During his holiday in Marbella in June, Enzo Maresca watched Chelsea’s 2023-24 games as homework, pen and paper in hand to take notes. We can only speculate whether he spilled his margarita when he reached the 32nd minute of the Christmas Eve visit to Wolverhampton.
It was 0-0 when Raheem Sterling got possession by putting pressure on Joao Gomes. He charged forward with Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson ready for tap-ins on his right. He opted to try and score himself but failed one-on-one, Jose Sa saved and Chelsea lost 2-1.
Chelsea fans have since shared the clip on social media after learning that Maresca had removed Sterling from first-team training. Cruel to celebrate, perhaps, but such is life as a Premier League superstar.
It was the £54million signing of Pedro Neto, and the £44.5million arrival of Joao Felix, that pushed Sterling down the pecking order. Both could feature in Chelsea’s trip to Molineux on Sunday, most likely from the bench, as Maresca still believes they need time to learn his precise tactical plan.
One of the reasons Chelsea signed Neto and Felix is that they fit into the club’s ‘Swiss Army knife’ approach, led by Joe Shields, their co-director of recruitment and talent, and Sam Jewell, their director of global recruitment.
Raheem Sterling doesn’t fit into Chelsea’s ‘Swiss Army knife’ system – he’s not versatile
Enzo Maresca values versatility for a Chelsea team that could play up to 80 games this season
They look for players who can perform in more than one position. They then present the candidates to Maresca. He gives his assessment to the technical directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, who start negotiations.
Chelsea went into the summer wanting to build a squad ready to play 80 games this season, with plans to take the Conference League and Club World Cup seriously. They want at least two players in each position, and versatility can help with that.
It offers options, including if Maresca wants to change systems for an upcoming clash. In addition to copies of Chelsea’s games, Maresca had another request for his new club while in Marbella.
He asked for access to their data room so he could comb through each player’s performance data. This includes percentages of how many minutes they’ve spent in different positions, which tells him how versatile they’d been under his predecessor Mauricio Pochettino. It was clear Maresca wanted more, and this summer he got his way.
Neto can be deployed on the left or right wing, in midfield or as a false nine. He has even appeared at right back for Wolves on occasion. Maresca particularly appreciates how he can use his pace to beat every man in a one-on-one situation when Chelsea isolate the opposition full-back.
Felix can also be deployed on the wings, as an attacking midfielder or as a false nine, where he would drop down to add an extra option to Maresca’s pass, pass, pass style of play. Today would mark his second Chelsea debut, his first coming in January 2023 when he was shown a red card after 58 minutes at Fulham after arriving on loan.
New signing Pedro Neto can be deployed on either wing, in midfield or as a false nine
Joao Felix can play on the wing, as a false nine or in attacking midfield for the Blues
Sterling can still fill a role on the left flank, but that’s not enough for Chelsea’s drive for flexibility
They are not the only new signings who can provide versatility. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is capable of filling the gaps of No.8 and No.10 and as a left-footer he brings balance to the midfield.
Sterling can only watch with envy until a transfer is completed. He has played in all six of their pre-season friendlies, with no sign of exile imminent. He even spoke to Mail Sport after the Real Madrid game in the United States, expressing his excitement for the season ahead.
But part of the problem for Sterling is that when you think of the 29-year-old, you automatically think of him as a left winger. He can still do a job there, but it won’t be for Chelsea.
If Chelsea are to become the best show on the pitch, their hierarchy knows it will take time. They promise to give that to Maresca, his latest task being to ensure Neto and Felix are aware of what he wants from them when they travel to Wolves.
