Rating Enzo Maresca's first press conference: from 2/10 Reece James answer to 7/10 transfer response

The dawn of the new season is upon us, and Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has conducted his first press conference at Cobham. After finishing sixth last season and missing out on the Champions League, Maresca faced questions about what he plans to improve.

It was also pointed out that the last five Chelsea managers have failed to win their first games in charge, a topic that was brought up with Maresca, alongside questions about his squad and system. He was also asked about Ben Chilwell and his lack of minutes, to which he provided a particularly interesting answer.

Below are the key points from the Chelsea press conference at Cobham:

What would be a good season?

"For me, a good season would be seeing day after day, month after month, a team that is improving. With time, we are going to close the gap between us and the teams that are currently ahead of us." (Rating: 5/10)

Q. How difficult is it to manage a big squad in training?

"A. We were in America for 20 days with 28 or 29 players. We have some guys who are not involved and are training separately. At the moment, it is not difficult. If I start to think about having 43 players, it’s probably not a good thing." (Rating: 7/10)

Q. How difficult is Gallagher's situation?

"A. I’ve said many times, unfortunately, these things happen every summer. Sometimes it’s at Chelsea, sometimes Liverpool, Arsenal, Bournemouth, Newcastle—every club has problems with players wanting to leave. It can always happen. But in the end, it always works out with everyone happy. Hopefully, for Conor, his situation will end with the player, the club, the manager, and everyone involved being happy." (Rating: 7/10)

Q. Are you a manager who adapts tactically to situations?

"A. Since we started, we have played in two different ways with the ball. Off the ball, we already press in different ways. We try to adapt; it depends on the other team." (Rating: 6/10)

Q. Will Conor Gallagher be involved?

"A. Conor is back. He is training separately. He is doing some medical tests and training. He won’t be involved in the game. At this moment, he is trying to find a solution with the club." (Rating: 7/10)

My question to him: How much did Manchester have to change to accommodate Erling Haaland, and how much do Chelsea have to change to accommodate Jackson, Guiu, or Nkunku? Secondly, regarding Reece James's injury, is it the same as last season?

"A. Yeah, we (they) had to make adjustments, and he is a brilliant striker. And yeah, for us, it’s true that you have to play differently for all of the names you mentioned." (Rating: 6/10)

On James: "I don’t know." (Rating: 2/10)