- Enzo Maresca gave his first interview as Chelsea’s new head coach on Monday
- The Italian has made an appeal to Blues fans ahead of the new season
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Chelsea’s new head coach Enzo Maresca has addressed Blues fans for the first time since arriving in west London.
The 44-year-old Maresca was announced as Chelsea’s new manager last month, signing a five-year contract effective July 1.
The Italian has already signed four players, including midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from his former club Leicester City for a fee of £30million, as well as Marc Guiu, Omari Kellyman and Tosin Adarabioyo.
After a tense start to the transfer window, Chelsea fans have been eagerly awaiting Maresca and finally, on his eighth day in the role, he shared a simple message with the fans.
“Just trust the process, trust the idea and get behind the team,” Maresca told Chelsea’s media team.
Enzo Maresca has given his first interview as Chelsea’s new head coach since taking over on July 1
Maresca, 44, replaced Mauricio Pochettino who left Stamford Bridge after just one season
The Italian national coach has called for confidence from Chelsea supporters in the project he is now leading
He added: ‘We’re definitely going to enjoy the journey. As with any club, for any manager, it’s not going to be easy, because nothing is easy. But we’re definitely going to enjoy our journey.’
The Blues supporters have endured two turbulent years, finishing 12th and sixth respectively, during which time they have had three permanent managers, with brief spells under Bruno Saltor and Frank Lampard.
Now that Maresca is in charge, he wants to build a strong bond with the people who follow the West London side.
“At that moment, when you join a club, you try to analyse what the club and the team need to improve and do the right things,” Maresca said.
‘For me it is clear that we need to create the right mentality and culture as soon as possible, a culture that the fans can be proud of. That is very important.
‘We will try to be an aggressive team, both with and without the ball, and we have to create a bond between the fans and the club, especially at home.
“When your own fans are behind the team and pushing the team, it’s like playing with 12 players. That’s what we need to create here.”
A club like Chelsea craves trophies, something they have lacked since Todd Boehly took over the club in 2002.
Last season under Mauricio Pochettino they came close to silverware, but fell short in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool in February.
The Blues conceded a goal in the 119th minute of last season’s Carabao Cup final against Liverpool
Maresca wants to challenge for trophies after winning the championship as Leicester manager
Maresca has recognised the winning mentality at the club and has vowed that his team will compete for the top.
The Italian claimed: ‘It’s the most important point [winning trophies] because when you go to play for a club like Chelsea, you know it’s a club that has to win.
‘We will do our best to be there, to fight and compete with the clubs that are winning at the moment and fighting for the title.’