"Experience is not something you can go to the supermarket and buy" – Carlo Ancelotti delivers verdict on Enzo Maresca joining Chelsea
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that Enzo Maresca will do well in his new job at Chelsea, who parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino earlier in May.
Following Pochettino's departure as the Blues' boss, the west London outfit named Maresca as the Argentine's replacement. They offered him a five-year contract with the option to extend for an extra year.
During a latest conversation with former Blues star John Obi Mikel on The Obi One Podcast, Ancelotti was queried if Maresca will succeed at Chelsea. He responded:
"I think so. When every one of us start a job, you have no experience. The experience is not something you can go to the supermarket and buy. You have to be patient to have experience. So the experience is not the most important part of our job."
Ancelotti, who guided Real Madrid to a double last season, continued:
"It is a part of our job, of course. But most important part is the knowledge. And the experience with [Pep] Guardiola and at Leicester [City], I think he has knowledge to manage and do well at Chelsea."
Before joining Chelsea, Maresca was Manchester City's assistant manager. He left City in 2023 and helped Leicester City win the EFL Championship title in the 2023-24 term with 97 points from 46 games.
Enzo Maresca confirms Cole Palmer will be Chelsea penalty-taker in upcoming season
Earlier on Wednesday (July 31), Chelsea beat Club America 3-0 in a friendly clash in Atlanta, United States. Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke each netted from the penalty spot on either side of the break.
After the end of the friendly, Enzo Maresca told reporters (h/t Metro):
"I have decided and this is the reason why Christo took the first penalty. Noni was close to taking one but I told Tosin [Adarabioyo] to tell Noni that Christo is to take the penalty. Noni left the ball there and Christo took it. I understand the desire to score but I am the guy who decides who takes the penalty, not the players."
Asked if Cole Palmer is the first-choice penalty taker, Maresca replied:
"For sure... when Cole is back because of last year and I know Cole is very good. For sure, he is the taker. But Cole is not here so we decide for another one and Christo is the one [for now]."
Last campaign, Palmer scored nine goals from the penalty spot.