Tomorrow night’s game against Southampton represents a very interesting dilemma for Enzo Maresca.
His team are flying at the moment, in red hot form and travelling to face a team at the other end of the table.
Not only that, but Saints are down to the bare bones. On top of a spate of injuries, they’ve also got suspensions to Tyler Dibling, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Flynn Downes. That’s a midfielder, an attacking and a defender out.
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Enzo Maresca responds to a press conference question.
Enzo Maresca applauds the home fans. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Enzo Maresca remonstrates with a ref during a Conference League game. (Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
Lesley Ugochukwu is Downes’ natural replacement in the middle, but he can’t play against Chelsea, his parent club. Premier League injury expert Ben Dinnery says Saints could have 11 players out in total.
#SaintsFC
Flynn Downes, Tyler Dibling and Taylor Harwood-Bellis are all banned after receiving their fifth cautions of the campaign at Brighton…
Lesley Ugochukwu cannot face his parent club.
The Saints could have up to 11 players missing against Chelsea tomorrow night.… https://t.co/Ch8tSOuMz7
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) December 3, 2024
No wonder Enzo Maresca is spending so much effort convincing his players to take the game seriously: earlier this afternoon he said that this would be the “worst” game of the season so far, a deliberately provocative take to prod his players into paying attention and not taking the win for granted.
Enzo Maresca shouts at his players at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Enzo Maresca shouts at his players at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Maresca must balance players between two different tests
Maresca’s absolute priority tomorrow, above all else, has to be winning 3 points. But given the struggles Southampton are facing, his second priority is seeing what level of rest and rotation he can get away with.
With a game against Tottenham at the weekend to follow, any minutes he can spare his regular starting team will be hugely valuable. But the 3 points on offer tomorrow are the same 3 points we can earn on Sunday – and likely much easier to earn.
He’s trying to convince his players that tomorrow is the easiest game of the season to slip up in – will he undermine his message a little if he makes major changes?
It’s a tricky balance to strike, and we’re fascinated to see what the coach comes up with.