When Mauricio Pochettino left Chelsea, it didn’t take long for things to change. Everything around the club changed, the way the team played, and even the types of signings began to look different. It wasn’t loud but you could tell something was changing.
It wasn’t some big explosion or press conference drama. But for fans watching closely, the signs were there.
Some were relieved. Others were confused. But almost everyone agreed: it was time for something different.
Why Things Didn’t Work Out Between Pochettino and Chelsea
Pochettino’s time at Chelsea didn’t just work out. Toward the end of last season, Chelsea had a few good games where things looked like they were finally starting to get better. But it didn’t last.
Most times, the team just didn’t play well together. The midfield wasn’t connecting, the forwards missed too many chances, and the defence keeps making a mistake.
Chelsea ended the 2023/24 season better than many people expected, but behind the scenes, things weren’t okay. Pochettino relationship with the board relationship had fallen apart.
According to David Ornstein from The Athletic, one of the main issues was that they didn’t share the same vision for the club. “There was a growing feeling that both sides were pulling in different directions,” he stated.
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Pochettino himself seemed tired toward the end. In one of his last press conferences, he said, “We tried our best to make it work. But sometimes, things just don’t align the way you hope.”
What’s Actually Changed at Chelsea Since Pochettino Left?
Since his departure, there’s been a quiet reset at the club. Not some massive overhaul, but a shift in how Chelsea are approaching things. It starts with how they play, how they train, and even how they build the squad.
One of the first things fans noticed was how the lineup changed. When Pochettino was in charge, Chelsea mostly used a 4-2-3-1 formation and tried to build their attacks through the midfield.
It's a nice idea, but it's not predictable on the pitch. Opponents found it easy to predict.
Under the new coach, Enzo Maresca, things feel a bit looser in a good way. There’s more movement off the ball. Players are rotating positions more often.
Midfielders like Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are being given more freedom to push forward instead of just holding shape.
Against Wrexham in preseason, you could already see signs of it. The full-backs were pushing into central midfield areas when Chelsea had the ball, a clear tactic borrowed from Maresca’s time under Pep Guardiola at Man City.
It’s more about overloads and positioning than just possession for possession’s sake.
Fans are starting to notice. On Twitter, one Chelsea supporter wrote, "We actually look like we have a plan now. It’s not just vibes."
Youth Still Matters But in a Different Way
Chelsea have been signing young players non-stop over the last couple of years. That hasn’t changed. What has changed is how those players are being used.
Before, it sometimes felt like players were signed just to fill out a spreadsheet. Some didn’t even play. Now, there seems to be more intention.
Carney Chukwuemeka is getting meaningful minutes. Alfie Gilchrist has looked sharp in training, even Cesare Casadei has been used in different roles during preseason.
It’s not just about giving them minutes. It’s about fitting them into a system that suits their strengths.
As one club staff member reportedly told The Guardian, "We’re not just throwing youngsters on the pitch anymore and hoping they deliver. There’s a plan now."
Figuring How to Use Nkunku After All the Injuries
A big question mark for Chelsea last season was how to build around Christopher Nkunku. When he was fit, you could see his quality. But injuries disrupted everything. And when he returned, he wasn’t always played in his natural role.
That might be changing. In the few preseason minutes we’ve seen under Maresca, Nkunku has played closer to goal, sometimes even as a second striker.
This seems small, but it matters. When you’ve got a player like Nkunku, you build around his movement and sharp passing. The new system seems to give him more freedom to do that.
How Things Feel at Chelsea Right Now
Here’s the thing most fans notice before anything else, the vibe.
Last season wasn’t easy. There was pressure, and the players didn’t look like they knew what they were doing. But now, things are starting to feel get better.
Training sessions are reportedly more intense but more focused. The players are more focused now, and even the press conferences feel more positive.
It doesn’t mean everything is perfect. But things feel lighter.
In a recent interview, Levi Colwill said, “There’s a good energy here now. Everyone’s eager. We have plans, and we’re working hard to make it happen.
How Chelsea Are Handling Transfers This Time Around
Chelsea are still spending, but more carefully. Romeo Lavia, who missed most of last season, is being treated like a new signing. They’ve also brought in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall from Leicester, someone Maresca knows well and trusts.
Rather than splashing huge fees on raw 18-year-olds, the club seems more focused on getting players who can deliver right now, or at least fit seamlessly into the system.
That’s a big shift from the past. It suggests that Chelsea might finally be trying to build a team, not just collect assets.
Is Chelsea Ready to Find a Real Identity?
It’s probably still early to say Chelsea have a clear identity again, but the signs so far are making it clear.
The team plays faster. There’s more urgency, more control. Players seem to understand their roles. Fans know what they’re watching.
One supporter put it simply after watching Chelsea beat Wrexham 5-0: “This feels like football again.”
That’s the biggest change.
Wanderlustsport Verdict
Chelsea still have a lot to prove. The season is long, and Maresca has never managed at this level before. But compared to the uncertainty of the Pochettino era, there’s at least a sense of direction now.
The team looks more connected. The tactics make sense. The mood is better. And fans are starting to believe that this version of Chelsea might actually be heading somewhere.
At Wanderlust Sport, we’ll be keeping a close eye on how this story unfolds, not just game by game, but decision by decision. Because chelsea’s already moving into a new chapter and it's going to be more better than the last one.