Chelsea fans question Enzo Maresca
Chelsea fans question Enzo Maresca
Chelsea fans are questioning Enzo Maresca's decision to bench Jamie Gittens after the Englishman's performance in the midweek. Many believe that the 21-year-old should have started over Alejandro Garnacho against Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday, November 1.
Maresca has made 10 changes to his starting XI, bringing in Robert Sanchez for Flip Jorgensen. The backline has undergone a wholesale change, with Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, and Marc Cucurella coming in.
Malo Gusto, who started at right-back in the Carabao Cup, is the only player to keep his place in the starting XI, but he moves to the midfield. Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez come in to support him.
Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho are on the wings, with Joao Pedro leading the attack. The Brazilian has not scored in his last eight matches and is looking to break his streak.
Fans are overall delighted with the team but believe Gittens should have started. Many posted:
Maresca spoke about Gittens and Garnacho in his press conference and said:
"They are both adapting to our the way we work every day. They are both doing well. This is what we want from our wingers, you know, score goals and assist, and it's good to have both doing well so we can choose one or the other one."
Talking about Tottenham, the manager added:
"Tottenham, I think they are doing very good. They finished last season winning the Europa League. They started very good this season and also because it's a derby for sure it would be a difficult game."
Chelsea lost 2-1 to Sunderland in the previous game week, before edging out a 4-3 win over Wolverhampton in the Carabao Cup.
Enzo Maresca admits Chelsea need to do better with set-pieces
Chelsea have been struggling to defend set-pieces and long throws this season, and manager Enzo Maresca has admitted they need to improve. He added that all sits are using it and said:
"I think that set-pieces you are going to score goals and you are going to concede goals. The reason why because if we say that when we concede we are not strong enough. I think set-pieces there are teams that they score more goals less goals but at the end set-pieces you are going to score and concede goals because there are actions that are so difficult to defend."
Chelsea have the second-most goals from set-pieces this season, but the last five goals conceded by them have come set-pieces, long throws and long balls.