Chelsea have confirmed that Estevao and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens will start on the bench for today’s Premier League game against Sunderland. This is three days after they both played well in a 5–1 Champions League win over Ajax.
The choice comes after a midweek game in which teenagers Guiu and Estevao scored, and Tyrique George added the fifth against Ajax. Chelsea took advantage of Kenneth Taylor’s red card in the first half and scored two penalties in a controlled way.
Maresca’s XI today brings back regulars James, Chalobah, and Cucurella. It also keeps the Fernandez-Caicedo double pivot and pairs Guiu with Joao Pedro, who can drop back to connect play. Notably, Guiu was called back after a short loan at Sunderland at the start of the season and is now looking like a main player at Stamford Bridge.
Neto starts wide, while Joao Pedro, on the other hand, gives the team more options in the middle.
Enzo Maresca makes eight changes, picking this starting lineup: Robert Sanchez; Reece James (c), Josh Acheampong, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Pedro Neto, Joao Pedro, Alejandro Garnacho, Marc Guiu.
Filip Jorgensen, Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo, Romeo Lavia, Andrey Santos, Estevao, Tyrique George, and Gittens are on the bench.
Some fans were upset with the young wingers benched, making comments like these:
“For me, we can’t keep saying how special estevao is then play him in games like Ajax and Wolves, so you’re telling me he won’t start against spurs next week? Let’s stop putting the hand break on this talent, what has Garnacho done to start again? Nothing.”
Another said:
“Estevao and Gittens produce our most exciting wing pairing this season on Wednesday night and neither are rewarded with a start on Saturday, I just don’t get Maresca sometimes 🤦”
Other fans disagreed, as one said:
“If garanacho doesn’t play well , he’ll get removed early and Estavao will come in and Garnacho would likely start against wolves This has always been the way Maresca rotates … he did it countless times last season…with Enzo and Neto and Sancho This tweet just sows negativity.”
Another commented:
“Allow the manager to do his job and manage those young talents in the right way. He wants Estevao to develop without pressure from the media and critics like you. If Estevao underperforms, you will be the first person to criticise the owners & directors for recruiting youngsters.”
Enzo Maresca talks about playing Sunderland
Before today’s Premier League match against Sunderland, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca made it clear what his top priorities were. He confirmed Liam Delap’s status, discussed Sunderland’s start, and noted how Chelsea’s performance has improved recently.
He said that Delap is back in training but won’t play today. The next game he is likely to play in is the League Cup match against Wolves.
Chelsea is on a four-match winning streak in all competitions, scoring 11 goals and giving up two in October. Sunderland has 14 points from eight league games since being promoted under Regis Le Bris.
Maresca said about Sunderland:
“They play together and work together. They have the same number of points as us, so they are showing how well they are doing.”
Chelsea’s recent rise includes wins in Europe over Benfica and Ajax and wins in the league over Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.