"I am not shocked that Maresca got the Chelsea job, he knows the lot about the game", says Leicester star

Exclusive by Alessandro Schiavone in Brussels

Wout Faes has backed Enzo Maresco to be a box-office hit at Chelsea despite the critics.

The Italian's appointment at Stamford Bridge sparked a huge fan backlash on social media, with supporters already predicting an early post-managerial mortem.

And that because of an apparent lack of experience at the top-level and the club's habit of chewing up and spitting out managers if things don't immediately work out.

But Belgium star Faes, who was part of Leicester City's Championship-winning season, has not bat an eyelid at the news Pep Guardiola's disciple joined the London giants.

He told Capital Football: "It's not a shock because I know how good he is as a coach.

"It's a good step for him because Chelsea is a very, very good team and a big club.

"I know he's a very good coach and and I hope he'll do well.

"He knows everything about football, he's a maniac."

Despite the pressure, Maresca's relegated Foxes bounced straight back to the Premier League, leaving Ipswich Town, Southampton and Leeds United all in their wake.

Faes, who has been called up by Belgium for Euro 2024, now urged Leicester's hierarchy to strengthen the side.

He said: "It was a case of going up straightaway and avoid being a second year in the Championship.

"That's what we've done and now hopefully with a new manager we get a new style and a lot of new players hopefully."

Asked whether it could be problematic to play in the Euros having featured in England's second-tier last term, Faes said: "The Championship is a very difficult league and I had the trust of the coach as well, I think that's a big thing.

"It was more important for me to keep playing instead of going to another and not play as much as I did."