It’s been a season of resurgence at Stamford Bridge, and former Chelsea defender Glen Johnson believes Enzo Maresca deserves huge credit for steering the Blues in the right direction.

“Enzo Maresca has done a really good job this season,” Johnson told reporters.

“The team has been a lot more consistent than we have seen in recent years, despite dropping quite a lot of points early in the season.”

Indeed, the Blues looked shaky in previous months, struggling to convert dominance into points.

Johnson was quick to point out the defensive improvements under the Italian: “He has made them much more solid defensively than they have looked in the past, which is the key to any team improving long-term.”

Chelsea, once vulnerable at the back, have become significantly harder to break down. The emergence of a stable backline, aided by key players like Levi Colwill, the return of Trevoh Chalobah and the impact of Tosin Adarabioyo, has provided a foundation for success in both the Premier League and Europe.

“Maresca seems to have turned the club around in his short reign,” Johnson added. “They have the Conference League final coming up, which they should win, and they should have Champions League football this season, what more could fans want?”

A top-five Premier League finish looks likely—enough to seal a Champions League return. Combine that with a potential European trophy if Chelsea beat Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final, and Maresca’s debut season could end with silverware and elite European football secured.
“They’ve had good players for years now, Chelsea,” Johnson continued, “but no manager has seemed to get them to play together like a team, and Maresca is nailing that and keeping everyone happy by rotating in the Conference League.”

Do you agree with Glen Johnson’s analysis?