Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley has been singing the praises of Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca ahead of their Conference League clash. The Italian manager took charge of the Blues in the summer and has wasted no time in making his mark on the team. Bradley, a self-confessed Chelsea fan and former youth player at the club, knows that a victory at the Stamford Bridge will seal a place in the Conference League last 16 for his side.
Bradley heaped praise on Maresca, stating that the new Chelsea boss has already instilled a clear identity in his side. This newfound sense of purpose is something that Bradley believes will make the Blues a formidable opponent in the competition. While the Shamrock Rovers manager is confident in his own team's abilities, he is under no illusions about the size of the task ahead of them.
'We know that we are facing a top-quality team with a top-quality manager,' Bradley said in a press conference. 'Enzo Maresca has done a fantastic job at Chelsea so far and we are expecting a tough game. But we are not here just to make up the numbers - we are here to compete and hopefully cause an upset.'
Bradley's knowledge of Chelsea's inner workings is unparalleled, having spent time as a youth player at the club. This insider knowledge could potentially give his side an edge as they look to take down the mighty Blues. When asked about the impact of his time at Chelsea, Bradley was quick to praise the club and its staff.
'My time at Chelsea was an incredible experience and one that taught me so much about the game,' he said. 'I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by top-class players and coaches who helped shape me into the manager I am today. But while that experience will undoubtedly help us prepare for this game, we know that this is a very different Chelsea team to the one I played for.'
Despite the challenge ahead, Bradley and his team are quietly confident of causing an upset. With a place in the Conference League last 16 on the line, the stakes are high but the Irish manager is relishing the opportunity to pit his wits against one of the best teams in the competition. One thing is for sure - this game is going to be an absolute cracker.