Chelsea’s New Manager Enzo Maresca Faces Early Challenges as Team Arrives in the US for Pre-Season Tour Amidst Controversy Surrounding Enzo Fernandez

Chelsea’s pre-season is set to begin in the US this week, marking a challenging start for their new manager, Enzo Maresca.

Arriving Stateside, the team is facing multiple issues right out of the gate.

Maresca, hoping for a smooth transition, has encountered anything but.

The Blues landed in the US on Tuesday for their two-week tour, but it’s been far from a smooth start.

Known for their managerial and player turnover, Chelsea’s recent week has been nothing short of chaotic, with Maresca in the thick of it.

Things began positively, with players who weren’t involved in Euro 2024 or Copa America returning to training and adapting well to Maresca’s methods.

However, trouble brewed after Argentina’s Copa America win, when an offensive chant aimed at French players was sung on the team bus.

The chant, recorded by Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, has been condemned as racist by the French Football Federation and caused a rift at Stamford Bridge.

Fernandez’s teammates, including Wesley Fofana and others, have distanced themselves from him.

Despite Fernandez’s apology and Chelsea’s public stance against discriminatory behavior, the incident has sparked division within the squad.

Fernandez was further embarrassed when the chant resurfaced during a celebration at his former club, River Plate.

Internal Struggles and Player Departures

Adding to Maresca’s challenges is the decision to leave academy graduate Trevoh Chalobah behind in the UK. Chalobah, a beloved figure at Chelsea since childhood, looks set to be sold this summer.

This move reflects a broader trend of losing homegrown talent, which has unsettled fans and further complicated Maresca’s task.

Pre-Season Tour Ahead

As Chelsea embarks on a grueling tour across the US, with matches scheduled in five cities over two weeks, Maresca will need to manage not only the on-field performances but also the off-field drama.

The tour kicks off with a match against Wrexham in California, followed by games against Celtic, Club America, Manchester City, and Real Madrid.

Looking Ahead

By the end of this demanding tour, Maresca will have a clearer picture of his squad’s capabilities before their Premier League opener against City on August 18.

However, the challenge of uniting the team amidst the ongoing controversy and navigating the club’s shifting dynamics will be critical to his success.

Maresca’s journey with Chelsea is just beginning, and he has a tough road ahead to bring stability and harmony back to the club.