Jamie Carragher makes Thomas Tuchel point in setting clear target for Enzo Maresca at Chelsea

Thomas Tuchel was appointed as England's new manager this week - as Enzo Maresca continues to take to life in the Stamford Bridge dugout.

Liverpool hero Jamie Carragher reckons Enzo Maresca must return Chelsea back into the trophy hunt like Thomas Tuchel managed prior to his appointment.

Maresca arrived at Stamford Bridge this summer - after Mauricio Pochettino departed Stamford Bridge by mutual consent. The decision to allow the ex-Tottenham Hotspur manager to leave was seen as controversial considering he had overseen a solid upturn in form in the latter half of last season

Since Maresca's arrival, the Blues have started this campaign well. Despite the opening day defeat, to Manchester City, Chelsea are since unbeaten in the Premier League ahead of Sunday's big clash with Liverpool at Anfield.

But in his column for The Telegraph, Carragher admits trophies are desperately 'needed' at the club, after a stint of failure on that part. "The appointment of England's new manager is a timely reminder to Chelsea's Enzo Maresca of his immediate challenge; to make his club as good as they were under Thomas Tuchel," he wrote.

"Maresca has made an impressive start. The noise about vast spending and the bloated squad with players on extraordinarily long contracts has quietened down, and one of the most impressive aspects of the Italian's first three months is that Chelsea resemble a team again.

"The Premier League and Champions League has been readjusting to life - without Chelsea as a challenger. Even when form was erratic from one season to the next, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte delivered championships, while Tuchel also led the club to the Champions League.

"It was not so long ago that a 'transitional period' at Stamford Bridge meant settling for Europa League or FA Cup victory. When Tuchel left it set Chelsea back a couple of years.

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"The current upward trajectory began with Pochettino so his exit last summer threatened to stall progress again. That's why Maresca deserves credit, especially in him getting the best from Cole Palmer who is a game-changing footballer."

If Chelsea were to win at Anfield this weekend they would sit just a point behind Liverpool in the Premier League standings - and would have to be considered as contenders for the title this season.

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