Chelsea: Enzo Maresca to give Euros stars tactics homework to help hit the ground running

Enzo Maresca does not officially start work at Chelsea until July 1, but he is already helping to refine their pre-season plans.

The Italian, who on Monday signed a five-year deal to take over at Stamford Bridge, wants to be in a position to get straight onto the grass with his new players.

Maresca knows pre-season will be crucial as he bids to implement his ideas on the squad.

But he will have just three weeks to work with the players at Cobham before Chelsea set off for a two-week tour of the United States, so knows it will be important to hit the ground running.

There is confidence his preferred 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations will fit well with the Chelsea squad.

His system leans heavily on inverted full-backs, especially as the tactical set-up often in effect becomes a 3-2-5 in possession. In that attacking framework, one full-back will invert into the holding midfield area, allowing one midfielder to step higher upfield.

With full-backs being so key, it is a huge boost for Maresca that he will have a full pre-season to work with Reece James, Ben Chilwell and Malo Gusto.

James and Chilwell were both left out of the England squad, but secretly Chelsea are unlikely to be too disappointed by their omissions.

A full pre-season could be vital for James after two injury-hit campaigns and will also help him to get to grips with the tactical demands placed on him by Maresca.

In Gusto, James and Chilwell, Maresca will have three players at his immediate disposal who will be crucial to his blueprint.

Gusto proved one of Chelsea's success stories last season and will now have James for more regular competition.

Chilwell battled a knee problem at the end of the season, which followed quickly on from leg muscle concerns.

Building James and Chilwell's fitness and durability will number among Maresca's immediate priorities when he arrives at Chelsea.

His planning will not be helped by the fact that Chelsea could be missing as many as 10 players for the start of pre-season because many will be returning late after Euro 2024 and the Copa America.

But Maresca is expected to provide every Chelsea player with online software to analyse tactical information remotely, which will help players returning late get up to speed.