There are often complaints about Enzo Maresca’s press conferences, where there are very few detailed tactical questions asked. But journalist Sirayah Shiraz makes a personal quest to change that.
Maresca claims he’s got other build up options despite injuries
Levi Colwill playing against PSG.
Levi Colwill playing against PSG. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Her question today was about buildup play while Chelsea are missing some of their most creative players.
Cole Palmer’s impact in terms of goals and assists is obvious, but less obvious is the impact of losing Levi Colwill, our best passer out from the defensive line who would often play the line breaking ball out of defence which could put our midfielders into better positions to themselves create chances.
“For sure, we lost two players in this moment, that for us, last season they have been main players in terms of build-up,” Maresca said, referring to Colwill and Palmer, both out injured now.
“When we talk about build-up we talk about breaking lines, Levi for us was the main one from behind, Cole was the main one in the middle of the pitch, but I think we are trying to find different solutions with the players that we are in this moment, we have available.”
You can see Maresca responding to the question in the clip embedded here:
Asked Maresca about through balls and creative progressing past defenders. Can the team take more risk in the absence of Cole and Levi? @premierleague pic.twitter.com/Mzg7oQf2uW
— Ray (@SirayahShiraz) October 17, 2025
In other news…
Benoit Badiashile isn’t the only piece of bad injury news from today’s presser. Maresca also dropped the hammer blow news that Cole Palmer is set to miss six further weeks with his ongoing groin problem.
On top of that, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Pedro Neto are all doubts, with the manager claiming that they would be ruled out of tomorrow’s game entirely if they weren’t able to train today. We will find out when we see the team sheet tomorrow.
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