At the start of the 2024/25 season, few imagined Chelsea would be celebrating silverware by July. A club once known for its winning DNA had stumbled into the UEFA Conference League, surrounded by uncertainty, inconsistency, and a squad packed with potential but short on cohesion. Enter Enzo Maresca, and everything changed.
Appointed in the summer to restore structure and identity, Maresca took on one of the most difficult projects in European football: turning Chelsea’s talented but disjointed group of young players into a competitive force. And while the road hasn’t been smooth, the rewards have been undeniable.
Chelsea’s Premier League campaign was still marred by defensive lapses and inconsistency, but Maresca’s footballing philosophy brought clarity. Possession-based and positional, the team began to understand patterns of play. Though far from the finished product, Chelsea showed clear growth, especially in midfield and attack.
A major reason for that was Moisés Caicedo, who emerged as the heartbeat of Maresca’s system, shielding the backline, pressing smartly, and controlling transitions. Alongside him, Enzo Fernández rediscovered his best form, thriving in a deeper creative role. In defence, Marc Cucurella was one of the season’s biggest surprises, tactically sharp, consistent, and key in buildup play. And up front, Cole Palmer carried the team with flair, confidence, and match-winning quality, becoming Chelsea’s attacking leader.
In Europe, Chelsea embraced the Conference League with purpose. Rather than treating it as a step down, they used it as a stage to rebuild confidence and chemistry. The young squad matured round after round, eventually lifting the trophy.
Then came the Club World Cup. With the expanded format, Chelsea brought in two new attackers: Liam Delap and João Pedro.
Facing champions from across the continents, Chelsea didn’t dominate every game, but they showed grit, tactical awareness, and just enough flair to go all the way. The final was a culmination of months of evolution, disciplined where needed, daring in attack, and united in spirit.
Chelsea were crowned Club World Cup champions, completing one of the most unexpected yet inspiring journeys in their modern history.
From the lowest point, Thursday nights in Europe’s third tier, to the very top of the world, Enzo Maresca has guided Chelsea through a transformative season. The squad is still young, the defence still growing, but belief is back.
Chelsea aren’t perfect. But under Maresca, they finally look like a project with purpose, and silverware to prove it.
This is the perfect start for Enzo Maresca, and with another season about to begin, all eyes will be on Maresca and his side.
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Story by Samuel Annang|univers.ug.edu.gh
Edited by Pius Asack.
