As we prepare to resume Premier League action following the final international break of 2024, Maresca has guided the Blues to third place in the table with a run of just one defeat in our last 10 league fixtures.

We will attempt to continue that form when we head to the King Power Stadium to face newly promoted Leicester in Saturday’s early kick-off. Of course, it is a venue and an opponent our head coach knows well.

Before joining the Blues in the summer, the Italian was enjoying success with Leicester, guiding the Foxes to promotion back to the top flight as Championship winners in his first full season. Unsurprisingly the prospect of a reunion with some familiar faces in Leicester is stirring some fond memories for Maresca.

‘First of all I am excited and also thankful because it was a fantastic season,’ said Maresca, when asked about his emotions ahead of his return to the King Power Stadium with Chelsea. ‘I met people there that it’s very difficult to find in football.

‘The owner and his family are fantastic people, fantastic human beings. They care for the players, staff, all the people that work inside the club, and you can see that. And the sporting director Jon Rudkin too.

‘It was a fantastic season first because I met good people and then in terms of players it was top. There was a fantastic connection between the players and the staff and this is something you also need to create when you want to reach something important.

‘I will be thankful all my life to that squad. I’m still in contact with most of them, we have a special connection. It was a fantastic season for me.’

Maresca won’t be letting those emotions distract him from the task at hand, though, namely picking up another three valuable Premier League points.

He knows it is never simple for any team in this competition, whether the opponents are newly promoted or established title challengers, meaning focus will be key going into the match.

Maresca said: ‘Absolutely this is not an easy game. You can see week after week that it’s always complicated. No matter which team you are, or where you are in the table, you struggle.

‘But we are going to try to make sure we are focused and we are prepared in the best way to go and try to win.’

It was suggested to Maresca he may have an advantage for this match, given his insider knowledge of many of the Leicester players he worked with last season.

However, he pointed out that works both ways, and hopes some tactical tweaks along with his ever-evolving approach to management means he can continue to keep Leicester guessing going into Saturday’s match.

‘Probably it’s more on the other side, they know exactly what we do, but we are going to try to adjust small details to see if we can do something different,’ he explained. ‘But I think it’s more their side that they know us better than we know them.

‘I work every day to become better and so I hope because I like to see things and analyse, I can improve. We always try to improve players but also we need to improve us as a staff, and me as a manager.

‘In my case, I try to improve every day. I don’t know if I’m better or worse than I was last season, but the important thing is that I am always curious to see things and to study. That is the only thing I’m focused on personally.’