How Enzo Maresca compares to Mauricio Pochettino after 27 games as Chelsea manager

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca should certainly be a happy man over Christmas when he reflects on his start at Stamford Bridge.

There were certainly plenty of sceptics when Enzo Maresca was appointed the Chelsea manager in the summer, but he’s quickly made his mark by impressing on and off the pitch.

The 44-year-old head coach deals with the media extremely well. He’s made what’s looked like a very tough job in previous years pretty straightforward, too.

In terms of his team’s performances on the pitch, the Blues sit second in the Premier League table over Christmas. While they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Newcastle United, they topped the Conference group stages with a 100 per cent win record.

Everton boss Sean Dyche has applauded Maresca’s impact at Chelsea so far during his debut campaign.

• READ MORE: Levi Colwill shares the crucial thing Enzo Maresca has taught Chelsea to do this season

Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Enzo Maresca vs Mauricio Pochettino records

Maresca’s now been in charge for 27 Chelsea matches, so how does he compare to his predecessor across the same period?

Mauricio Pochettino, who’s now in charge of the United States national team, was the manager of Chelsea for the 2023/24 season. The 52-year-old coach left the club by mutual consent in the summer after finishing sixth in the Premier League and failing to win any silverware.

Here is a look at how Maresca and Pochettino compare after their first 27 games in charge of Chelsea across all competitions:

Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals scored	Goals conceded
18	5	4	71	28

Enzo Maresca after 27 games at Chelsea

Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals scored	Goals conceded
14	4	9	49	36

Mauricio Pochettino after 27 games at Chelsea

Craig Burley thinks Chelsea go forward quicker with Maresca than under Pochettino, which is backed up by the fact they’re a much more free-scoring side this season.

Elsewhere, Eden Hazard suggested Chelsea are better under Maresca than Pochettino.

What’s achievable for Enzo Maresca this season?

Even though Chelsea were held to a goalless draw at the weekend, they’ve still got such great momentum behind them. In fact, they’re unbeaten in their previous 12 matches across all competitions.

Maresca’s side currently sit second in the Premier League table and a top-four finish should be the minimum target now. If they can push Liverpool for an unlikely title challenge, that would be a superb bonus.

Here is a look at Chelsea’s next five league fixtures:

• Thursday 26th December
  Premier League

  • ChelseaChelsea

    15:00

    FulhamFulham

• Monday 30th December
  Premier League

  • IpswichIpswich

    19:45

    ChelseaChelsea

• Saturday 4th January
  Premier League

  • Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace

    15:00

    ChelseaChelsea

• Tuesday 14th January
  Premier League

  • ChelseaChelsea

    19:30

    B'mouthBournemouth

• Monday 20th January
  Premier League

  • ChelseaChelsea

    20:00

    WolvesWolves

Chelsea has a seven-point cushion above the clubs just outside the top four. With the upcoming fixtures, they should be looking to extend that lead and try to close the four-point deficit to leaders Liverpool.

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