Enzo Maresca faced the media after Chelsea cruised into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a dominant 5-0 victory over League Two side Barrow. Christopher Nkunku netted a hat-trick in a superb performance, while Paul Farman’s own goal and a strike from Pedro Neto capped off an impressive attacking display from Chelsea.
Was that the perfect night?
“Very happy with the performance, with the result. We did many changes, but the idea from the team was exactly the same. This has to be one of our targets, no matter how we are going to play, it is important that the identity of the team is always there. This type of game, I’m always worried a lot because they are tricky games. Football is full of these games, where you underestimate the other team; you concede goals and you concede chances but tonight I think the performance was very good and we showed how serious we are.”
Could you potentially make 11 changes on multiple occasions with the amount of games?
“It depends a little bit on the moment of the season. Sometimes you can have injuries and different kinds of problems.”
Happy for Pedro Neto?
“Happy. Happy for Pedro, happy for Christo [Nkunku], and for Joao [Felix], for all of them. They all deserve to play from the start in the Premier League but they are not playing at this moment. But the way they take the chances when we give them minutes is fantastic. No matter if it’s five minutes, 45 minutes, or 90 minutes, they are all ready and this is the most important thing.”
Have you spoken to Tyrique George? He looked upset after his miss…
“I was happy with him and Josh [Acheampong]. I thought they both did very well. These kinds of games, for them, it is important to be brave, don’t be shy. It doesn’t matter if they make mistakes – it is fine. Tyrique missed a chance, then he created another one for himself. Then I really liked Josh, the way he showed himself with the ball; he steps in, brave, personality. Happy for both of them.”
How did Ben Chilwell do?
“Also, very good. It was not easy for Chilly. He didn’t get any minutes this season but he has shown he is there, he is ready and working well. There is not any problem. If we have a chance, we will give him some more minutes in games.”
Was bringing Malo Gusto off at half-time planned?
“Yes, it was planned. In the first half, Malo went inside on that side and in the second half, we did the same but on the left side with Chilly inside.”
What was your favourite highlight?
“We tried to prepare, as I said since I joined the club, we prepare the game on how the other team is defending or attacking so we try to find a solution. Palace was one plan, today was another plan. Today in the first half, Malo and Chilwell were playing like attacking midfielders on the ball to just create an overload in some part of the pitch so the guy with the ball has more options to pass, not just one, then he can decide. The idea is to give them more solutions and then they decide.”
Jackson and Nkunku scoring for fun. Is that the big difference?
“It’s difficult to judge because last year I was not here. The only thing I can judge is that they’re both doing fantastic. Not only because they score, but because they work off the ball. The way they sacrifice for the team. This is very important for them. This is a nice problem when you have two strikers that continue to score.”
Could they play together?
“It could be. But the problem is the defensive balance. We can think to play with Nicolas, Christo, Joao, Cole Palmer, Noni, fantastic! But then who is defending? Me and you? I would like to put all of them in because I really like football and I really like to keep the ball but the problem is when you lose the ball and then you have to defend. Not all of them can defend at the same level.”
