Looking back on his days as a young boy in the AC Milan youth setup at a time when they were arguably the top team in world football, Maresca tells us how his early experiences in the game inspired him.

'Fantastic!' he says, reflecting on that period of his life. 'I was a ball boy in that time. With Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard – the three Dutch players – AC Milan was a fantastic team. Probably, Italy in terms of clubs was the best country in that moment.'

Maresca made the move to England as a teenager, joining West Bromwich Albion, and also played in Greece and Spain, as well as representing some of the top clubs in his homeland. He discusses how that varied career has shaped his ideas on the sport.

'I try to take things from different managers, and then you create your own idea, you try to create something for yourself.

'I tried to see things and to learn things. England is fantastic in terms of the football side. Then, for instance, in Greece, the environment at the stadium there also is good but it’s because the atmosphere is crazy. I think England, in terms of environment, is the best, the best one in this moment.'

In a wide-ranging interview, Maresca allows the reader to understand his outlook on football better than ever before, so be sure to pick up a copy of the programme when you arrive at the ground.

Additionally, Dave Beasant tells us about his time with both Chelsea and Forest, including a spell when he was training with the Blues while playing for the Tricky Trees!

'It’s quite strange to think that when I was at Forest, Dave Bassett, who was the manager at the time, said to me, ‘I don’t need you in the early part of the week. Can you train at Chelsea?’

'Gianluca Vialli was manager, so I spoke with Luca and he let me train with Chelsea on a Monday and Tuesday, and then I’d go up to Nottingham on a Thursday. We were in the same league at the time!

'I was more-or-less just with the reserves, but when I was done working with them and doing my individual bits, out would come Gianfranco Zola. He’d have a bag of balls, so I’d ask him, ‘Do you want me to do a little bit with you?’ Gianfranco was a proper gentleman. ‘Thank you, thank you!’'

You can also read club historian Rick Glanvill’s feature on the career of Ryan Bertrand, who recently hung up his boots. The Chelsea Academy product, who won the Champions League final in Munich on his first European start and also played for Forest, will always have a place in our history and our hearts.

With all the info you need on the game ahead, plus the stats and facts on our recent fixtures, and exclusive fan content, the programme is a must-read. Pick up your copy from the sellers around Stamford Bridge on Sunday or order online from our publications partner, Reach Sport.