"We have to wait I think" - Former Chelsea manager makes bold claims about Enzo Maresca

Former Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has heaped praise on current club head coach Enzo Maresca, backing him to become one of the best in Europe. He admitted that the Italian needed time to settle as there were too many players in the squad but praised him for managing the situation.

Speaking to The Sun, Sarri said that Chelsea were becoming a good team under Maresca. He opined that they were not solely relying on individual brilliance and were doing well as a whole. He said:

"The situation at the beginning of the season was difficult with so many players but for sure he [Maresca] is doing a good job. My feeling now is that Chełsea are becoming a team again now - not 11 good players. My feeling is that the future for Chełsea could be good. A winning future I think.

"Maresca is an Italian coach but is more an international coach. Maresca in Italy worked only for one or two seasons, no more. He is a very young coach. We have to wait I think but at the moment the work at Chełsea is going well. He has the possibility to become one of the best in Europe."

Enzo Maresca's side are fourth in the Premier League table and face Aston Villa on Sunday, December 1. The Blues are on top of the UEFA Conference League table after winning all their matches so far.

Maurizio Sarri regrets leaving Chelsea after one season

Maurizio Sarri also said that he regrets leaving Chelsea after just one season. He added that moving to Juventus was not ideal and he should have managed the Blues for longer.

Speaking to The Sun, Sarri hinted that he was working directly under former Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia and that was a key reason for him to consider the exit. He said:

"I could have stayed at Chełsea. I wanted to come back to Italy because the situation at Chełsea was not easy. In that period [Roman] Abramovich was not allowed to go to England. I only saw him at games abroad. We had some telephone calls but not very often. My point of reference was only Marina [Granovskaia]. There wasn't a sporting director so the situation was not so clear. So I wanted to come back to Italy but it was a mistake. It would have been better to stay there [Chelsea]."

Chelsea finished third in the Premier League and runners-up in the Carabao Cup under Maurizio Sarri. They also won the UEFA Europa League, the first-ever silverware won by the Italian in his career.