On the eve of Chelsea's friendly match against Real Madrid, Chelsea manager Maresca attended a press conference to give his views on the team's pre-season performance, transfer market strategy, and the development of youth players.
Regarding the preseason, Maresca said that the time in the US was a great opportunity for the team to interact with fans outside of the UK. However, he also admitted that the pre-season schedule of matches seemed a bit complicated due to the tight schedule and lack of preparation. He particularly emphasized the importance of the two weeks spent at the Cobham training base for the team as the true preparation period for the preseason.
In the transfer market, Maresca made it clear that he has a say and emphasized the key role of the coaching team in the decisions on reinforcements. He refused to accept players who do not fit the team's tactical philosophy, and pointed out that the club is highly consistent with himself in terms of transfer targets. As to whether there is a current priority to strengthen the position, Maresca said the team is trying different tactical combinations and player configurations to find the best lineup match.
Speaking about specific players, Maresca spoke highly of Caicedo and Jaksson. He believes that Caicedo possesses excellent fitness and attitude to the game and is an important part of the team for future matches. Jacobsson, on the other hand, has shown potential as a striker, while he is also able to adapt to the demands of the wing positions. Regarding Gallagher's future, Maresca said that it depends on the outcome of the negotiations between the player and the club, but he also emphasized the importance of competition within the team, where no one is guaranteed a fixed starting position.
In terms of youth player development, Maresca expressed his helplessness with the existing rules. He pointed out that due to the rules of the Premier League, the club has to face the pressure of selling youth players. However, he emphasized that Chelsea will continue to work hard to develop young players and seek to achieve a breakthrough in the youth system within the rules.
In conclusion, Maresca expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance in the preseason and felt that the team is improving both in possession and without the ball. He encouraged the players to continue to train hard and be well prepared for the upcoming official matches.
