‘He’s done it brilliantly’ – Rory Smith and Don Hutchison praise ‘ruthless’ Enzo Maresca after Chelsea win over Astana

Chelsea secured a comfortable 3-1 victory over Astana in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday. The impressive win in sub-zero temperatures maintained their perfect record in the competition.

Both Rory Smith and Don Hutchison of TNT Sports were full of praise for Chelsea’s performance, particularly highlighting the contributions of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and manager Enzo Maresca.

Hutchison believes Dewsbury-Hall could be the next player from Maresca’s second-string squad to break into the first team, following in the footsteps of Joao Felix. Smith echoed this sentiment, noting that Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto also benefited from opportunities in the Conference League.

Both pundits were impressed with Maresca’s ability to turn Chelsea’s fortunes around after a disappointing pre-season. Smith suggested that Dewsbury-Hall’s signing might have been strategic, as he could help implement Maresca’s tactics and guide other players.

Overall, the victory over Astana showcased Chelsea’s depth and potential, with Maresca’s tactical acumen and Dewsbury-Hall’s promising performances standing out.