The three things Enzo Maresca has already changed at Chelsea including mindset

Chelsea are progressing well under their new Italian manager, and it's clear why he's already winning over the doubters. The victory against West Ham echoed the dominant performances seen under Thomas Tuchel in Europe, which made fans fall in love with the team. Chelsea supporters still have a chant for Tuchel, but there is no doubt that many are now rallying behind the new manager - and it won’t be long before it’s evident he’s the right man to lead this project. Here are a few things he’s already changing at Cobham and within the team.

Brutal honesty even if it did sound right

One of the first things Maresca did when he started speaking to the media was to be as honest with them as he is with the players. If he had a message to send about a player he didn’t favour or one he really liked, he would address it directly. Previous managers might have hesitated, but his honesty means everyone knows where they stand, without it affecting team spirit. A prime example is how he handled the Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell situation: “Sterling and Ben are training apart from the first team. I just try to be honest with them. I told Raheem he’s going to struggle to get minutes here with us. Chilly, he’s going to struggle here too. I am not saying Raheem is not a good player, not at all… but I prefer different kinds of wingers, simple.” This level of honesty might be hard to take, but it has long-term benefits, and the results are already evident.

Generating healthy competition

Another refreshing aspect is how Maresca never fails to generate competition within the squad. He’s made it clear who the number one is at the moment, but he has also emphasized that it’s not a permanent position and will be reviewed weekly, based on training and game performances. When asked about his first-choice goalkeeper, he said: “This is, at this moment, the plan. But the plan can change. I judge the players on their level. So, if the level continues to be the same, probably Robert [will be in goal] for the Premier League and Filip for the Conference League or the other cups. But in the end, it’s all about performances.”

Being a teacher

One of the club’s long-standing desires has been for a manager who is also a teacher - someone who joins in on training and teaches new ways to improve. Chelsea is signing young talent, players entering their prime, so they don’t just need a coach; they need someone who can bring them up to speed. This has already been evident with players like Jackson and Noni Madueke.

It’s still early days, but the signs are promising, and the team's progress is there for everyone to see and judge. What a fantastic way to get an impressive win with both co-owners present. Chelsea are now just two points off top-placed Liverpool, whereas at this same stage last season, they were barely in the top 10.