Enzo Maresca is on the verge of being confirmed as Chelsea’s new head coach – and the elite ensemble who will be joining the Italian in his backroom staff can be revealed by Mail Sport.
Maresca handpicked a set of best-in-class coaches that he wanted with him at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea agreeing during several positive rounds of conversations that he should have access to the world’s most skilled coaching and technical staff. There are eight names in total, with another two appointments in line to follow once further talks have been held with Maresca.
Each recruit was vetted by Chelsea to ensure they meet their own expectations and they are now set to slide into the system being created by the club in their pursuit of English and European success.
Chelsea competed with the youngest squad in the Premier League last season. While they sought a head coach who would improve performances – with Maresca rated for his possession-based style of play which led Leicester to the Championship title – they also plan to develop players through individualised programmes, specific coaching and high-performance modelling.
Mail Sport gathered profiles on each of Maresca’s personnel ahead of his impending appointment by Chelsea and their identities can be revealed to be:
Enzo Maresca is set to become the Chelsea manager – and has made a new backroom team
Michele De Bernardin and Marcos Alvares are among those swapping Leicester for the Blues
Willy Caballero – Assistant Manager
Caballero is a former Chelsea goalkeeper but that is not why he is brought in alongside Maresca. The 42-year-old Argentinian is regarded as perceptive and intuitive, and has won praise for his innovative ideas while acting as a sounding board for Maresca.
Danny Walker – Coach
Formerly of the Manchester City academy, Walker is a specialist in working with individual players, regarded as highly meticulous in his approach and a huge asset to Maresca’s work in offensive areas.
Ex-Chelsea keeper Willy Caballero (left) comes in as Maresca’s assistant and sounding board
Maresca, coach Danny Walker and Caballero (left to right) all worked together at Leicester City
Michele De Bernardin – Goalkeeper Coach
High-energy and enthusiastic coach who is driven to improve the technical and positional performance of his goalkeepers, as well as working with the outfield players on their positioning so that they can receive the ball from their shot-stopper. De Bernardin places high value on methodology and is regarded as a critical appointment. He will work closely with Ben Roberts.
Ben Roberts – Goalkeeper Coach and Head of Global Goalkeeping
Maresca specifically asked for Roberts to join his backroom staff as he was already aware of his qualities and this formed an early part of his conversations with the club. The new arrivals within Maresca’s team will work with Chelsea’s existing staff with a focus on developing their emerging talent through individual coaching and mentorship.
Maresca specifically asked for goalkeeping Coach Ben Roberts to join his staff at Chelsea
Marcos Alvarez will work on player fitness, after Chelsea’s poor injury record last season
Marcos Alvarez – Fitness Coach
With a grass-based approach, Alvarez will work closely with Chelsea’s head of performance Bryce Kavanagh. One of his key tasks will be to improve availability, fitness and the conditioning of players. Chelsea endured one of the worst injury records in the Premier League last season.
Bernardo Cueva – Set-Piece Coach
Cueva is widely regarded as the leader in his specific field, having been brought to Chelsea from Brentford. He will immediately join the first-team coaching staff, with Maresca having previously formulated plans of his own to bring in a set-piece coach at Leicester for the upcoming Premier League season. Cueva is expected to provide an elite coaching model that will provide support on both a team and individual level.
Javier Molina Caballero – Analyst
Considered a crucial cog in Maresca’s team, providing support for pre-match and post-match analysis, and he will work closely with Chelsea’s existing data department.
Set-piece expert Bernardo Cueva (right) has been snapped up from London rivals Brentford
Analyst Javier Molina Caballero will work closely with Chelsea’s existing data department
Roberto Vitiello (right) is tasked with getting Chelsea’s young players into a first team pathway
Roberto Vitiello – Development Coach
Vitiello is being brought in to help transition Chelsea’s young players and prepare them for life in the first-team habitat. The club are proud of their pedigree in having developed stars such as captain Reece James, Conor Gallagher and Levi Colwill. Youngsters including Tyrique George, Kiano Dyer, Josh Acheampong and Ishe Samuels-Smith are all likely to join them on their pre-season tour of the United States in July and August, with part of Maresca’s responsibility to include integration over the summer and providing a pathway to the first team.