Everyone wonders how Enzo Maresca’s team plays as if there are more players than opponents. It’s insane! His goalkeeper participates in the formation as a twelfth player. Fans doubted Maresca’s ability to manage a team in the Premier League, which, in this case, was a world-class team. In just three months, he has been able to silence all doubters. He has created one of the best-attacking fronts and implemented amazing possessive football. Here is how he did it.
Chelsea’s Maximum Width Approach
Maresca would do almost anything to ensure his formation has enough space for attacks. To achieve the most space possible, he invented the maximum width approach. This entails all his players hugging the touchlines. Using this tactic, the team can disorganize the opposition’s defense and create space in zones that would normally be inaccessible if players occupied narrower positions.
Imagine a case where the ball is expected to be moved from the keeper to the main striker. To create space, the fullbacks would be hugging the touchlines to create enough space. This allows the centre-backs to play a more technical game from the middle, given that there is enough width for such a purpose. Positioning the fullbacks as wide as possible and the pivots in these narrow areas frees up space in these central channels that the team can occupy using third-man passes to bypass the opposition’s press.
These channels are of great priority in the tactics of Maresca, and they depend greatly on central progression. Also, on whichever side the team decides to make a striking force, a winger will shift into these areas to provide support, while the opposite winger maintains a wide space in case they decide to switch plays.
Enzo Maresca Has a Plus One Advantage
Recall when Maresca mentioned that he wants his team to have a plus-one advantage on the pitch. That statement was not just a wish; it was an actual reality. It is the second phase of the maximum width approach. He achieves this by inverting a fullback into a midfielder immediately after they bypass the initial press. This also allows a midfielder to move forward and join the attack. This changes the team’s shape to the well-known 3-2-5 formation and creates a box in midfield. The box allows a plus-one advantage against the opponents who defend with three players in the centre of the pitch and allows them to control the game’s flow.
However, other teams have investigated this brilliant strategy and found loopholes, which include an intense man press during the buildup phase. By doing this, they can trigger defensive errors, which results in Chelsea conceding a few goals.
Enzo was unsatisfied with such a weakness, so he schemed for a security patch in the strategy. The Chelsea manager made his keeper a major object in the buildup. That is why fans usually see his keeper advancing higher than normal to receive a pass or initiate a quick counter-attack. This appears safer than making the keeper maintain his traditional role. If the opposition employs a man-to-man press, the defenders will widen the width to accommodate the keeper as a fourth defender. Now you can see why Chelsea’s recent play gave the impression of 11 vs 10.
Chelsea is Blessed with Tactically Gifted Players
Have you considered when the opponent needs only to draw and is unwilling to run into the inevitable danger Maresca has plotted? In this case, the opponent sits back and defends in a compact lowblock defensive system. This proved effective in depriving Chelsea of goals and possession. Enzo then decided to select tactically gifted players who could operate in tight spaces and were proficient at carrying the ball.
One of the proven players is Cole Palmer, and the world has seen how dangerous he can be against such a defensive method. Analysts also think that Noni Madueke is gradually joining Palmer in pressing in tight spaces. Maresca selects these players based on their ability to beat players one-on-one and carry the ball in advanced areas.
This works because the opposition is forced to shift more players from their positions to close the tactical player. This consequentially frees up space in the danger zone for other teammates to receive the ball.
Enzo Maresca Introduces Chelsea To A Lopsided Approach
Maresca also needs a player to drop deep as a plus one in midfield and support the buildup, which is an integral part of the plan. This is crucial when the team loses possession in advanced areas. His plan for retrieving the ball is called a lopsided approach, where one of the midfielders will advance with the striker. The duo can then simultaneously press the opposition’s fullbacks, giving them a slim chance of escaping.
The goal of such augmentation is to force the ball wide. Once that is possible, other teammates can aggressively block all passing lanes on the opposite side. This translates to a squeeze in the opposition’s half while closing the gap. Nicolas Jackson is one player who has been able to fit into this strategy. Many fans have criticized him for wasting goal chances. However, his work rate also plays a key role in how the team defends from the front. He has been the main orchestrator of pressing moments from Chelsea. Meanwhile, his goal conversion rate has not been that bad.
Conclusion
Now you know why Chelsea suddenly became a major contender for the Premier League after their last unpromising attempt last season. Fans believe Enzo Maresca can win trophies with this insane strategy. He might need more work and consciousness in responding to tactical breakthroughs by the opposition, but he deserves some accolades for the transformation within such a short period.
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