Enzo Maresca's Chelsea contract is huge- and not just for the reasons you think

It has taken around a significant £30million to get Enzo Maresca to jump ship from his Leicester City team that dazzled and dominated the Championship to west London. First, they had to reach an agreement with Mauricio Pochettino with a fee of £10million reportedly settled on by lawyers to part ways amicably. 

Chelsea then had to pay £10million to Leicester as compensation and then agree on a deal that would see Pep Guardiola's former assistant earn at least £10million yearly on his new wage. 

The details of a contract for a new manager could be complex but it remains to be seen what kind of backing he gets. Former Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou has told LondonWorld that everyone at the club has to back Maresca as it’s a fresh start and an opportunity to get things right. 

But behind the scenes, LondonWorld has been told this is more than just another managerial appointment, sources have said that the board is willing to give him all the time to get things wrong as they know that the road ahead could be bumpy. 

They have agreed that sacrificing the short-term gain for the long-term glory is the best way to go and will remain resolute behind the 44-year-old new boss.

The Graham Potter way

There is a general feeling within some of the board members that the sacking of Graham Potter was rushed and an admission that they will need to stop pressing the panic button at the first sign of danger at the club. 

They have invested heavily in a squad and the midfield duo of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez cost the club more than £200million so care, time and patience will be needed if they’re to get the best out of them and rip the benefits of their investment. 

When Chelsea signed Pochettino, they gave him a two-year deal with an option for one and decided to part ways after the first season. With Maresca, they’ve gone back to what they set out to do with Graham Potter, a young manager with a point to prove guiding a team of young players looking to take on the world. 

Owners running out of excuses

Maresca will be Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali's third permanent manager in two years, six if you add interim managers so they really have to get this one right or risk being labbled clueless. 

They have shown ambition in matching the desire of former owner Romam Abramovic now it's time to get the results that made the Russian such a massive success in west London. 

Maresca will not only be fighting for his reputation but also be fighting to prove that the board and owners know what they were doing when they took a chance on him to lead the mighty Chelsea.