Enzo Maresca
Chelsea is gearing up for their Carabao Cup encounter against Wolves following a recent Premier League setback against Sunderland. Manager Enzo Maresca addressed the media on Tuesday, providing crucial updates on player fitness and tactical considerations as the Blues aim to bounce back.
Maresca said: “90 minutes, no, he’s been out two months so he needs to be gradually back to 100%.”
Maresca confirmed that Liam Delap, who recently recovered from a hamstring injury suffered in August, has resumed training and is available for selection against Wolves. However, the manager emphasized that Delap would not be ready to play the full 90 minutes, as he needs to be eased back into full fitness following his two-month absence.
Maresca said: “They are probably players that need to be protected. Probably tomorrow. We will see. Enzo, Moi and Joao, they are all different players for different reasons we need to protect them.”
The Chelsea boss also highlighted the need to monitor the fitness of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, and Joao Pedro. Maresca expressed the importance of protecting these players, suggesting that their involvement in the upcoming match would be carefully considered.
Maresca said: “For sure the physical part is important. But I think Joao is not a problem at all. He’s going to score goals with us. He’s going to give us assists, knowing that Joao Pedro is not a No.9 that is going to score 20 goals each year. It’s not Joao, he’s a fantastic player, he’s going to score goals for us, he’s going to give us assists. But it’s a different kind of nine, like this kind of nine that they score 20-25 goals each year like Lewandowski, Mbappe or Haaland. This is a different kind of No.9.”
Maresca addressed Joao Pedro’s form, reassuring fans of the striker’s potential despite his recent goal drought. The manager praised Pedro’s ability to contribute to the team beyond just scoring, emphasizing his role in providing assists and being a versatile forward rather than a traditional high-scoring No.9.
Maresca said: “The reason why we are trying to spread minutes is because we need to manage players like Wes Fofana, Benoit Badiashile. We have Tosin who had a problem this season.”
Regarding Chelsea’s defensive setup, Maresca discussed the need to rotate and manage the minutes of key centre-backs such as Wes Fofana and Benoit Badiashile. He also mentioned Tosin, who has faced challenges this season, highlighting the importance of squad depth and player management.
As Chelsea prepares for their Carabao Cup tie, Maresca’s insights underline the strategic considerations and player welfare at the forefront of the club’s approach. The manager’s comments reflect a focus on balancing immediate performance needs with long-term player health and team stability.
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