Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca addresses 'civil war' as Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali clash
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca downplayed talk of a club 'civil war' while providing an update on the squad ahead of the match against Bournemouth on Saturday night.
The Italian confirmed that Malo Gusto will miss the match due to a thigh problem, while Reece James remains sidelined.
However, Romeo Lavia is "very close" to making his return, potentially bolstering the squad for upcoming fixtures.
With Gusto and James unavailable, Maresca may turn to Axel Disasi as a makeshift right-back.
The French defender has previously filled this role for Chelsea, including in recent Conference League matches.
In midfield, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are expected to start again, given the uncertainty surrounding Lavia's fitness.
Enzo Maresca has addressed several issues at Chelsea currently
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Maresca hinted at a cautious approach in reintegrating the Belgian midfielder, who has struggled with injuries since joining the club.
Addressing the reported "civil war" between Chelsea's co-owners, Maresca downplayed any concerns, stating: "If I spent my energy about something different [the ownership situation] I think it's not worth it.
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"The other things are things I cannot control."
He confirmed recent communications with both Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, asserting: "There are no problems at all."
Maresca emphasised his focus remains on pitch matters and preparing the team for upcoming matches.
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Maresca provided insights on new signing Jadon Sancho, stating: "I see him how I expect him. Very good player, good quality in one-versus-one."
The manager also hinted at a potential return for Ben Chilwell to first-team training, saying: "We will sit with him and find solutions."
Nicolas Jackson's recent contract extension was met with enthusiasm from Maresca, who praised the striker's work rate and goal-scoring ability.
The manager expressed satisfaction with the current squad size of 24 players.
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Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are fighting for control of Chelsea
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Maresca outlined his tactical approach, highlighting Enzo Fernandez's versatile role as both an attacking and defensive midfielder.
He addressed concerns about set-piece defending, stating: "From now until the end, we are going to concede goals from set-pieces and we are going to score goals from set-pieces."
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca will be without some key players against Bournemouth
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The manager emphasised the importance of balancing technical and physical aspects in the team's play.
He revealed that the international break was used to work on new tactical elements and defensive improvements.