Enzo Maresca, who spent just one season at Leicester City as a player, is now tasked with guiding the club back to the Premier League. Appointed manager on June 16, 2023, Maresca faces high expectations as he aims to lead Leicester to promotion following their relegation.

During his brief time at the club, Maresca left a lasting impact, contributing significantly to Leicester’s successful return to the top tier of English football. Now, as manager, he’s preparing for a challenging season, with the added pressure of meeting the club’s ambition of bouncing back immediately.

However, one thing Maresca is well aware of is the potential threat Leicester still poses. Despite their fall from grace, the Foxes still boast some exceptional talent, and there’s one player in particular who could make Maresca’s return a difficult one.

Enzo Maresca was appointed as Leicester City’s manager with one clear goal in mind: to secure their immediate return to the Premier League after their relegation. The Italian tactician did just that in impressive fashion during the 2023/24 campaign, guiding the Foxes to the top of the Championship with an incredible 97 points.

However, after his success with Leicester, Maresca made a surprising move to Chelsea over the summer, leaving Steve Cooper to take over the reins at the King Power. This weekend, Maresca will return to Leicester for the first time as Chelsea manager when his side faces the Foxes in a 12:30pm kick-off on Saturday.

While Leicester are currently struggling in the Premier League, Maresca knows his former team still has the potential to cause problems, especially with one key player who could spoil his return. It promises to be an intriguing clash, and Leicester fans will surely be eager to show their appreciation for Maresca’s achievements while testing the mettle of his Chelsea side.

Enzo Maresca is well aware that one player could spoil his return to Leicester City as Chelsea manager: Harry Winks. The midfielder was one of the key signings Maresca made during his brief tenure at the club last summer, and Winks has since become an integral part of Leicester’s squad.

Maresca brought in nine players during his single summer transfer window at the club, many of whom are still with Leicester, but Winks stands out as one of the most important. Known for his composure on the ball and his ability to control midfield, Winks could be a serious threat to Maresca’s Chelsea side when the two teams meet on Saturday.

While Leicester’s Premier League struggles continue, Winks has been one of the few bright spots, and Maresca knows all too well that if the midfielder gets going, he could cause significant problems for his returning Chelsea side.

Harry Winks, who joined Leicester City for a fee of around £10.5m from Tottenham Hotspur, was the standout signing for Enzo Maresca during his brief stint at the club. Maresca, who spent just one season at Leicester, recognized Winks’ potential early on, with the midfielder playing 48 times under the Italian manager.

In 2023, Maresca spoke highly of Winks, calling him “unbelievable” and emphasizing his importance in the Leicester squad. He recalled telling the club, “When I met the club for the first time, he was the first name I told them. He was the main player because, with this idea, Harry is an unbelievable player.”

Maresca’s high regard for Winks comes from his belief in the midfielder’s ability to control the game, a style that fits perfectly with Maresca’s vision. The Italian had seen Winks’ quality at both Tottenham and during his loan spell in Italy, and was eager to bring him to Leicester, seeing him as a key piece in the team’s pursuit of Premier League promotion. Now, as Chelsea manager, Maresca faces the daunting task of stopping the player he once championed, knowing just how dangerous Winks can be when in form.

Harry Winks has consistently spoken highly of Enzo Maresca, praising his exceptional understanding of football. When reflecting on his time under Maresca at Leicester, Winks described the Italian manager’s footballing insight as unmatched. In an interview with talkSPORT in February 2024, Winks said: “He’s a manager who I think will certainly go to the very top. His understanding of football is something I’ve never witnessed before.”

Winks’ admiration for Maresca is clear, acknowledging how the manager’s tactical knowledge and approach to the game stood out during their time together. As a key figure in Leicester’s midfield in 2024/25, with two assists in the Premier League, Winks will likely face Maresca again when Chelsea travel to Leicester. The 28-year-old is undoubtedly aware of the challenge posed by his former manager, knowing the tough test that awaits Leicester with Maresca now in charge of Chelsea.