So much for inverted full-backs and carefully crafted coordinated positional play. In an echo of Ange Postecoglou turning to direct football to lead Tottenham to glory in the Europa League, Enzo Maresca’s reward for putting pragmatism over his principles was a chance to bask in the schadenfreude of telling his critics to “eff off” after a performance so no-nonsense there were times when it felt as if we had been transported back to when nobody ever questioned Chelsea’s mentality or quality when the heat was on.
This is progress. There were plenty of raised eyebrows when Chelsea parted company with Mauricio Pochettino at the end of last season, just when it seemed the Argentinian had them on the right path, and brought in an inexperienced dogmatist from Leicester. Just when were these detached American owners going to get out of their own way? The accusations came thick and fast: the contracts being handed out were too long, vast quantities of money was being wasted on potential and now, with the appointment of a manager whose biggest achievement was winning the Championship with Leicester, it seemed Chelsea were in danger of joining Manchester United in the nether zone.
