Opposition briefing: Enzo Maresca's new-look Chelsea

Match previews

3 Nov 2024

Crystal Palace host Chelsea in their first fixture of 2025 on Saturday, 4th January (15:00 GMT) - so here's everything you need to know about the Blues.

Factfile

Manager: Enzo Maresca
Position: 4th
Nickname: The Blues
Ground: Stamford Bridge
Founded: 1905 (120 years ago)

What’s the story?

After a summer of upheaval at Stamford Bridge, few expected Chelsea to be riding high at the top end of the Premier League come 2025. But Enzo Maresca<br> has built upon the fine finish the Blues enjoyed to last season under Mauricio Pochettino.

The goals have been flowing, Chelsea scoring 38 times in the first half of the season. Only a relentless Liverpool team made a better start to 2024/25 – with Chelsea losing just twice in their first 17 games of the season, against the Reds and defending champions Manchester City.

But that progress stuttered over the Christmas period, however, and the Blues go into today's match winless in their last three.

One of the most successful English clubs of the 21st century, Chelsea are yet to lift silverware since the Todd Boehly-led consortium takeover in 2022. However, they have a great chance to take home a European trophy this season in the UEFA Conference League.

The Blues' bulky squad has allowed Maresca to select strong XIs on Thursday nights. They already look a solid bet for the tournament – finishing top of the league phase with six wins out of six.

A trophy would be a fitting reward for their fine first half of the season, and although they exited the League Cup in the round of 16, the FA Cup represents another chance for the Blues to get amongst the big prizes come the end of the campaign.

The boss

Enzo Maresca has undoubtedly impressed since his arrival in the off-season in restoring an element of consistency to Chelsea, following 12th and sixth-placed finishes in the last two seasons.

After coaching stints at Ascoli, Sevilla, and West Ham United, the Italian assumed leadership of Manchester City's Elite Development Squad in August 2020. Under his guidance, the team secured the 2021 Premier League 2 title.

He then had a brief spell with Parma, followed by a return to Manchester City as an assistant coach. In June 2023, Maresca was appointed head coach of Leicester City. In his single season at the helm, he led the club to the EFL Championship title and earned them promotion back to the Premier League.

As a player, he was a hard-working, deep-lying playmaker who represented the likes of West Bromwich Albion, Juventus, Sevilla and Olympiacos. Whilst in Spain, he won five major titles, including two UEFA Cups.

Boot in both camps

Chelsea loanee Trevoh Chalobah will be ineligible to face his parent club on Saturday.

Ashley Cole's controversial move from Arsenal to Chelsea came long after the loanee had helped Palace survive in Division One in 2000. He went on to lift eight major trophies with the Blues, including the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.

More recently, former England captain Gary Cahill notched up 290 appearances for Chelsea and became a highly decorated player in the process, before becoming a first-team regular at Palace and going on to make 47 appearances across two seasons.

And currently playing for the Eagles, Eddie Nketiah spent time in Chelsea's youth system before moving to North London and, subsequently, Palace.

Record against Palace

The Eagles are overdue a win against Chelsea, right?

Back in August, the Eagles ended a 14-game losing streak against the Blues with a draw at Stamford Bridge, thanks to Ebere Eze's excellent curling effort.

Famous wins at Chelsea remain fresh in the memory: Joel Ward’s heroics of 2015 and Christian Benteke’s early winner in 2017 among them.

Did you know?

Former Chelsea manager José Mourinho caught music fans by surprise when he appeared in the video for Mel Made Me Do It, the latest release by Croydon-born grime artist Stormzy.

Stormzy, a Manchester United fan, pulled in a roster of famous faces for his 10-minute single, including Ian Wright, Jonathan Ross, Usain Bolt, Dina Asher-Smith and Louis Theroux.

Mourinho appears with a finger over his lips as Stormzy says “I prefer not to speak like I’m José,” and the manager’s famous interview answer is played: “If I speak I am in big trouble.”

Mourinho uttered the much-quoted phrase after Chelsea lost to Aston Villa in 2014 following the sending off of Willian and Ramires.

Despite the 30 years separating Stormzy and Mourinho, the Roma manager seemed to enjoy himself. “Was great fun doing this cameo for Stormzy’s new music video,” he posted on Instagram. “I had a great time.”

Match details

Saturday, 4th January
15:00 GMT
Selhurst Park
Live audio commentary on Palace TV+

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