Enzo Maresca during a Chelsea FC training session (photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca spoke to the media this morning ahead of the return of Premier League action this weekend.
The Blues take Burnley away from home on Saturday’s kick-off, and will be looking to get a good run of results together as they look to be outsiders in this year’s title race, despite an inconsistent start.
Every time it looks like they’re making great progress they seem to be taking a step back, but Maresca will certainly benefit from Cole Palmer returning from injury soon.
The Italian plan discussed that and more as he spoke to today’s press.
You can read on for the full text of the Maresca News Conference.
Everything Enzo Maresca said at the Chelsea Press Conference
On the return of Cole Palmer
He is not available tomorrow for sure, Barcelona, for sure, Arsenal, for sure. Unfortunately he had an accident at home two days ago and sprained his toe. It’s not important, but certainly no one is not coming back next week.
We do not know (How long he will be out). All we know is that it’s not available this week, next week.
It is possible. I wake up often in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. I beat my head, my legs, my everything, to make it happen.
In the first role of the Axel Disisi group
Yes, I said axel and Raheem over and over again [Sterling] they are Chelsea players. Axel helps the second team, helping the younger players. During the international break we only had five, six players here, so we need more second team players. And axel was part of some session with the players of the second team, but I think it was one time with us.
You are currently helping the second team, working with the second team and being with the second team. He is a chelsea player and has a second team.
To Raheem Sterling
Raheem is also a Chelsea player and is in the same situation.
In Filip Jorgensen Transfer Talk
I talked about Filip at the beginning of the season and I didn’t talk about Filip in the last days about that. I think all the players who don’t play much or don’t use to play, they would like to get more minutes, more games, it’s completely normal. But I didn’t talk to Filip.
To Estevao Willian
He is returning to the international team where his coach is very happy and we are very happy with him.
In the form of Malo Gusto’s
We have said many times that with US Malo is the main player in the way we want him to play. He can play in different positions. You already know that we love players who can give us, we can be strong with them. Malo is one of them and we are very happy with malo. Personally, because I joined the club, I think Malo is our best player.
Midfield is key against Runluy
Yes, it will be a different game. We know that every game is different. Maybe tomorrow we need to use different strategies, different weapons. There is no doubt that it will be a tough game, especially after the 12-nation international break in the morning. It’s always a tricky game and we need to pay attention.
Why the pressure of Chelsea
Maybe it’s the time we spend together. We have said over and over that with more time overall we will get better and better. It’s something we have in the way we want to get the ball as quickly as possible. Sometimes it’s possible, sometimes it’s not because the other team does different things. But it’s definitely something we’re getting better at and can be a lot better at.
More on Cole Palmer’s Fitness
He was very close. He was back with us with almost a groin and it’s great news. And then again, he had this little problem and hopefully it’s not important.
The last time I saw him was yesterday morning, and he had no socks, except flip-flops, he was naked, I don’t know how to describe it. I saw him in the changing room.
No (He wasn’t connecting) not much, he was working fine. The problem is that they are small toes, so contact with the boots can be painful.
For Cole Palmer and England
For me personally, cole is one of our best players and no doubt he can play in any international team, but then it’s Thomas’ decision.
Another injury for Chelsea
MOI (CAICEO) came back last night, we haven’t seen him yet, but we will see MOIs in time. But it’s good, look [Badiashile] it’s back, it can be found tomorrow, that’s good news for us. Then Enzo (Fernandez) and Pedro (Neto), used the international break to get a little strength, and to recover from injuries, the problems they had, and they are available tomorrow.
At Chelsea with vs without Cole Palmer
That’s not the case. I don’t think so [laughs]. I think the teammates are better players with Cole playing. I feel the best when cole is in the wing, and we all want cole in the hole. At the same time, when the cole is not in the hole, we need to find a solution. The team is doing well, doing very well. Also, I think any manager is good if you miss a player, but at the end of the day the team still plays the way we want to play. Good, but then again, we’re better off with Cole.
