🔗 Share this article

Chelsea's manager has suggested that the squad is experiencing the " consequences of their recent Club World Cup involvement, with a large group of squad members missing for the upcoming match against the Reds.

Current Injury Status

Important attacker the young star is out with a persistent groin injury, adding to the roster of long-term absentees that includes Fofana, Liam Delap, Colwill, Andrey Santos, and Adarabioyo. Additionally, Trevoh Chalobah is banned following his dismissal in the last defeat to Brighton.

"This is the truth," the coach stated. "If Paris Saint-Germain and we have so many fitness issues, probably it's the consequences from the tournament. In this situation we have several backline players out, but we're going to try to adjust and find the right answer."

Study Points to Workload Issues

A newly released report from the global football union Fifpro showed that the club's players were allowed 20 days off after winning the competition in the summer, while Paris Saint-Germain, the beaten finalists, rested their team members for over three weeks. The analysis linked this high workload to the fitness challenges faced by the two clubs.

The Italian manager voiced alignment with the report's conclusions and stressed his faith in the young players who will fill the gaps. The 19-year-old defender is expected to earn his fourth top-flight appearance in the backline.

Belief in Young Players

"This is difficult," he conceded, "however at the same time we trust the ones that are here. For sure, when you can rotate one individual after four or five matches, it's preferable. The longer you perform alongside with colleagues, the relationship becomes stronger. Sometimes you don't even need to talk to execute something on the pitch – they understand instantly. When you persist to rotate it's more hard."

"Yet I truly trust the young stars. Not just the young players that we buy but also the young players from the youth system. We provided games last year to Acheampong so that demonstrates that I trust the next generation."

Conduct Record Addressed

Regarding conduct matters, Maresca claimed he is not concerned by the team's history of red cards. The squad has been shown three red cards in their previous as many games, featuring a player's red card in the Champions League win over Benfica.

After his arrival in June 2024, the club has the worst conduct stats among top-flight clubs, with seven red cards in 73 matches – a red card every 10.4 fixtures. Furthermore, they top the league for yellow cards under his tenure, with over a hundred bookings.

"There is any conduct issue," Maresca said. "It's necessary to review each incident individually. When it's a red card for malicious intent or for poor behavior, it's different compared to the Manchester United incident or the Seagulls sending-off. In those case, it's just a choice that you have to make in two seconds, three seconds. Should I do a foul or not? It's tough."