Maresca knows what it takes to get out of the Championshipplaceholder image
Maresca knows what it takes to get out of the Championship | AFP via Getty Images
Chelsea are preparing to face a Sunderland side that has enjoyed an excellent start to the season.
Enzo Maresca’s men were bitten by the injury bug early in the season, but with things slowly clearing up they are picking up form and now sit within two points of the top two.
As for Sunderland, they have been the best of the promoted teams, and their win over Wolves last time out has put them in seventh place and on the same number of points as Chelsea. It as been a superb start from the Black Cats, and Mareca appreciates it having previously come from a team that won promotion from the Championship.
“I think they have shown since the start of the season that they are a very good team,” said the Chelsea boss. “They play together, they work together and they play as a team. In terms of results, they have the same points as us, so they are showing how good they are. It’s a Premier League game, and I don’t think any game at this level is easy.”
He added: “I spent one season with Leicester in the Championship and I love the Championship. Even if we play Premier League or the Champions League, I always watch the Championship. So I watched since last season when their manager arrived.
“They play good football, are quite strong physically, so I really like how they are doing things. The challenge is always the same: try to win the game knowing they want the same. They are going to try to create enough situations and a difficult situation for us.”
Chelsea team news
Chelsea have had a torrid time of injuries over recent weeks, and Benoit Badiashile was the latest to fall to an issue. But there is some good news, with Liam Delap not closing in on a return after weeks out with a hamstring injury.
“We don’t have any new injuries for the game this weekend.” Maresca said. “Liam is doing well. He took part in the session yesterday with the team for the first time. He isn’t going to be available for tomorrow’s game, but maybe for the next ones
“The schedule [on when players can return] can change a little bit, it depends on whether they improve or not. Initially, we thought he might be back for October 25, but today, as you know, is October 24. So, he’s not quite on that initial schedule but he’s getting closer. Possibly for the cup game next week, he could be available.”
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