Chelsea Fitness Issues Attributed to Club World Cup Participation, Says Manager Enzo Maresca

Enzo Maresca has suggested that his team is facing the " consequences of their recent global tournament campaign, with a significant group of squad members missing for the upcoming fixture against the Reds.

Present Injury Status

Key attacker Cole Palmer is sidelined with a recurring muscle problem, joining the list of lengthy unavailable players that features Wesley Fofana, Liam Delap, Levi Colwill, Andrey Santos, and Tosin Adarabioyo. Moreover, Trevoh Chalobah is banned following his dismissal in the recent defeat to the Seagulls.

"This is reality," Maresca commented. "Given that PSG and Chelsea have so many fitness issues, likely it's some consequences from the tournament. In this moment we have several defenders out, but we're going to try to adjust and discover the right solution."

Study Highlights Fixture Concerns

A newly released study from the global football union the organization indicated that the club's squad were allowed three weeks off after claiming victory in the Club World Cup in the summer, while PSG, the defeated runners-up, gave breaks to their team members for 22 days. The analysis connected this intense workload to the fitness problems faced by the two clubs.

The Italian manager expressed agreement with the study's findings and stressed his faith in the young talent who will fill the gaps. The 19-year-old defender is expected to make his fourth Premier League start in defense.

Belief in Youth

"It is challenging," Maresca conceded, "however at the same moment we trust the ones that are available. For certain, when you can rotate one player after four or five games, it's better. The more you play together with colleagues, the understanding grows stronger. Sometimes you don't have to speak to execute something on the pitch – they understand instantly. When you persist to change it's increasingly hard."

"But I truly trust the emerging players. Not only the youth that we buy but also the academy graduates from the academy. We provided opportunities last year to Josh so that demonstrates that I trust young players."

Conduct Issues Discussed

Turning to disciplinary concerns, the manager claimed he is unworried by the team's history of red cards. The team has received three send-offs in their last three matches, featuring João Pedro's dismissal in the Champions League victory over Benfica.

After his appointment in mid-2024, Chelsea has the worst disciplinary record among top-flight clubs, with multiple red cards in seventy-three matches – a red card every 10.4 fixtures. Additionally, they lead the league for yellow cards under his tenure, with 114 bookings.

"There is a discipline issue," Maresca remarked. "It's necessary to analyse each incident individually. When it's a red card for malicious intent or for bad discipline, it's different compared to the United red card or the Brighton red card. In that case, it's simply a decision that you have to make in an instant, three seconds. Should I do a foul or not? It's difficult."