Five-year deal only worth it if Blues give Enzo time

THE last Chelsea manager to survive five years at Stamford Bridge was Dave Sexton.

- Nick Purewal

When he was appointed in 1967, none of co-owners Todd Boehly, Behdad Eghbali or Jose Feliciano had been born.

But Chelsea's ownership triumvirate of bona fide business magnates were not born yesterday and have total conviction in their plan to install a head coach who will flourish and grow with the Blues in the long term.

Enzo Maresca was today expected to be handed a five-year contract as Chelsea were finalising his appointment as their new head coach.

This will be the second time in two years of ownership that Chelsea's new chiefs have appointed a man they believe can break the mould of short-termism in modern football.

The reservations beyond Stamford Bridge, however, point to the fact that Graham Potter, their first choice for an ownership-defining boss, lasted less than seven months of his own five-year contract.

Chelsea are known to prize Maresca's tutelage under Manchester City's true modern coaching great Pep Guardiola.

The Blues believe Maresca can emulate Mikel Arteta, who has progressed from his own apprenticeship under Guardiola to do a fine job with Arsenal.

The Gunners are firing on all cylinders, having pushed Guardiola's exceptional City side all the way in the title race and finishing second.