Whereas Mauricio Pochettino’s first months in cost have been met with jeers and doubt, Enzo Maresca’s begin as Chelsea supervisor has been quietly sensible.
Having batted away questions concerning the bloated squad over the summer time earlier than dropping his first Premier League fixture, the Italian has led the Blues to 6 wins from their final eight video games, serving to them sit in promising positions within the Premier League and Convention League tables.
Maresca can also be beginning to reap the rewards of a comparatively clear damage record. The west Londoners have been beset by health worries throughout 2023/24 however most of their key stars are at present wholesome as they put together for the go to of Newcastle United on Sunday.
Forward of that assembly at Stamford Bridge, listed here are the most recent damage updates for the Chelsea squad.
Reece James has struggled to be persistently accessible for Chelsea lately, being struck down by damage after damage.
Nevertheless, issues are actually trying up for the England worldwide. He returned within the slender 2-1 defeat to Liverpool final week and is predicted to get one other begin on Sunday when Newcastle go to the capital.
Maresca has already admitted he’ll take no probabilities with James’ return to the matchday squad, revealing he doesn’t plan to make use of the right-back greater than as soon as per week. It was Pedro Neto who performed in a wing-back position within the 4-1 win over Panathinaikos on Thursday night time.
Identical to James, Romeo Lavia returned from a hamstring blow within the defeat at Liverpool. His health has been blighted continuously since becoming a member of Chelsea from Southampton however the younger Belgian has impressed when he has been accessible.
The 20-year-old partnered Moises Caicedo successfully at Anfield and needs to be included within the beginning XI as soon as once more for the Newcastle conflict, with Enzo Fernandez getting minutes in Greece on Thursday.
Chelsea tried to engineer an exit for Ben Chilwell throughout the summer time switch window, however no deal might be agreed and the previous Leicester Metropolis left-back has been sparingly utilized by Maresca consequently.
His solely recreation time to this point this season got here within the 5-0 thrashing of Barrow within the Carabao Cup third spherical and, whereas he could properly have been ignored once more in opposition to Panathinaikos, the 27-year-old was unavailable on account of sickness.
Maresca mentioned: “Chilly is one in all our gamers. He was in poor health [this week], so he did not get any periods. We are going to see how he’s at the moment and tomorrow.”
Marc Cucurella seems to be to have nailed down the left-back spot and can be accessible once more within the Premier League this weekend after lacking a recreation on account of suspension.
Omari Kellyman is an thrilling expertise Chelsea signed throughout the summer time from Aston Villa for a charge of round £19m. The 19-year-old attacker may be very a lot one for the longer term however his solely minutes for his new membership have come for his or her youth sides.
The England Below-19 star, who made his Premier League and European debuts final season, is scuffling with a hamstring grievance however hopes to be accessible subsequent month.
