Fulham boss Marco Silva has never been one to shy away from a tactical challenge, and ahead of Saturday’s London derby, he’s sent a clear message: he believes he knows how to disrupt Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea.

Speaking before the clash, Silva admitted his side fully understands the danger Chelsea pose under their new coach. “We know their strengths very well, they have individual and overall quality,” he said, acknowledging both the talent across the squad and the structure Maresca has imposed in West London.

But Silva wasn’t done there. He highlighted the tactical clarity Chelsea now operate with: “They have a clear identity in terms of the way Enzo Maresca wants to play, such as overloading certain areas and stretching teams.”
That identity has been evident since the Italian’s arrival, with Chelsea consistently looking to dominate possession, create superiority in specific zones of the pitch, and pull opponents out of shape before striking with incisive movement.

For Fulham, Silva insists, this isn’t an unknown puzzle. “For us, it’s clear what he wants in each moment of the game.” The Portuguese coach clearly believes that Chelsea’s patterns, while effective, are also predictable enough to be disrupted if his players stay disciplined.

Whether Silva’s game plan will hold up against Chelsea’s technical ability and attacking firepower is another matter.

London derbies often bring unpredictable drama, but Silva’s words suggest Fulham will head into this one with a well-prepared tactical blueprint designed to halt Maresca’s philosophy.