"It's amazed me" – Petit shares what's surprised him most about Maresca this season
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Emmanuel Petit has praised Enzo Maresca for being ruthless and admitted he's amazed at how quickly things have come together for Chelsea.
The Blues appointed Maresca as Mauricio Pochettino's successor in the summer after guiding Leicester to the Championship title last season.
Chelsea certainly took a gamble by appointing the Italian due to his lack of experience, but the start to the season has shown that hasn't been an issue.
Petit amazed by Maresca impact
Maresca revealed he had no doubts over taking the job, whilst Sunday's win against Aston Villa saw the Blues move into the top three, level on points with Arsenal in second.
Talk of a title charge has started to emerge and Chelsea have only lost two of their 13 games in the league this season, although Maresca has insisted on numerous occasions they aren't in a title race.
Maresca has had a lot to deal with at Chelsea and hasn't been afraid to make some big decisions, like exiling Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell.
This seemingly ruthless approach appears to be working and the squad are buying into his ideas, whilst the club feels like it's the most stable it's been both on and off the pitch since the takeover.
Petit has praised Maresca for his approach and admitted he was amazed at how quickly the 44-year-old has managed to get things to work.
"It was a massive surprise that Chelsea sacked Poch, but what a decision it has proved to be, they have elevated themselves to a new level under Maresca," he told The Evening Standard.
"He has done something that the former managers couldn't do, be ruthless.
"He has shown no pity to his players and has exiled the deadwood like Raheem Sterling. He's made it clear he is the manager and shown the door to so many players, even those who signed a year before he arrived.
"He's ruthless and it's working, and it's amazed me a lot how it's worked so quickly for him in terms of management, building a spine and getting his team to play the way he wants to play."
Maresca has done better than many would have expected and he will be hoping that continues this week with the Blues travelling to Southampton on Wednesday before a trip to Tottenham on Sunday.
