Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca believes his team’s frailties in pre-season are down to the players learning to move away from a high defensive line which had caused them issues in the past.

The Blues conceded 63 goals in 38 Premier League games during the 2023/24 campaign under Mauricio Pochettino, who is famed for his side’s aggressive pressing style and risky high line.

Maresca has since replaced Pochettino in the Stamford Bridge hot-seat and has so far taken charge of five pre-season matches, shipping 12 goals in that time.

Chelsea rounded off their tour of the United States with a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in Charlotte, with both of Los Blancos’ goals coming with a fair bit of ease due to the lack of intensity in the Blues’ defending.

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Speaking to the media post-match, Maresca recognised Chelsea’s vulnerability at the back and explained his plan to change their fortunes.

“One of my first meetings with the squad was about the amount of goals we conceded last year with the defensive line very high,” he said.

“We are not working on defensive lines so high. It’s a habit from last year, or years ago, I don’t know.

“We are trying to drop the defensive line a little bit, usually about four or five metres, just to have some advantage.

“Last year, we already conceded many goals with this problem. Hopefully we can solve it very soon.”

Chelsea will fly back to England and play one final pre-season game before the start of their Premier League campaign.

Italian champions Inter head to west London this Sunday, before Manchester City become the first visitors to Stamford Bridge for 2024/25 seven days later – the Cityzens beat Chelsea 4-2 in a friendly last week.

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