“The plan was” – Maresca details why he changed the role of key Chelsea star in Leicester win | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca has revealed why he changed the role of Marc Cucurella after seeing Leciester set up with a back five.

The Blues made it back to back Premier League wins as they ground out a hard fought 1-0 victory against the Foxes to move back into the top four.

Cucurella scored his fourth Premier League goal of the season, but it could have been a more comfortable scoreline had Cole Palmer not missed a first half penalty.

Maresca on how he changed role of Cucurella

It was a huge three points for the Blues in the race for Champions League football, and Maresca explained afterwards why he celebrated so much.

It felt like Chelsea were on course for a frustrating afternoon until Cucurella fired home a brilliant strike on the hour mark.

The Spaniard has been in superb form and is certainly in with a shout of being Chelsea’s player of the year, whilst fans serenaded him with his song after he scored.

Cucurella has now scored in back to back league games. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

Cucurella has improved massively under Maresca and is now a threat in the opposition box, with the 26-year-old scoring some really important goals this season.

However, Maresca revealed how he had to change his plan for the left back after seeing Leicester set up with a back five.

“The plan was Marc Cucurella next to Moi Caicedo as a midfielder with three and two, three at the back with Cucurella next to Moi,” he told his post match press conference.

“But when we saw them defending with five, we needed to attack with six, so Cucurella was higher, Christo Nkunku in the pocket, Cole, Enzo, Pedro [Neto] and Jadon, so we tried to attack with six.

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“You need to change the pressing because it is completely different. The way the players have adapted has been top. As I said, sometimes they come here and try to surprise us and they have been so good for that.”

Cucurella and his team-mates are next in action against Copehagen on Thursday night before a huge game against Arsenal on Sunday.