Chelsea took a gamble in the summer when they appointed Enzo Maresca as Mauricio Pochettino's replacement following his shock departure.

The Argentine had ended his single season in fine form, guiding the Blues to the Conference League following a season of inconsistency. He left shortly after the campaign concluded to send shockwaves around the fanbase.

Unlike the previous year, when the club were linked with big names like Zinedine Zidane, Chelsea's list of potential candidates consisted of managers with Premier League experience or others who had come off the back of an impressive season in the Championship.

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Maresca had led Leicester City to the Championship title with his fluid system, earning him comparisons to Pep Guardiola. However, he wasn't the only manager being linked with the vacancy at Stamford Bridge.

Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna was one name under consideration after leading the Tractor Boys from League One to the top flight in just two seasons. However, despite the Englishman's eye-catching record, Chelsea's preference was always Maresca.

So far, the appointment has proved to be the right one. 18 games into the Premier League season, the west Londoners sit third in the table, just seven points off league leaders Liverpool, and are on course to cruise to victory in Europe.

On Monday night, the Italian will lead his side out against McKenna's Ipswich looking to pile the misery on the relegation-threatened side. Last season, Maresca was denied victory in both fixtures against the former Manchester United coach with two injury time equalisers.

After the interest from Chelsea, McKenna committed his future to Ipswich but that hasn't stopped him being linked with jobs. When Erik ten Hag was sacked at Man United, he was linked with a return to Old Trafford before Ruben Amorim was snatched from Sporting CP.

Despite seeing his name linked with moves away, McKenna has remained committed to helping Ipswich remain in the Premier League. "We have enjoyed incredible success together over the last two seasons and I'm excited to have the opportunity and responsibility of leading this fantastic club into its first season in the Premier League in 22 years," he said in May.

"I am so happy to have committed my future to taking the next step with Ipswich Town and am really excited for what's ahead as we continue this journey together."