Maresca has been ruthless at timesplaceholder image
Maresca has been ruthless at times | Getty Images
One Chelsea player has been speaking about the club’s messaging amid reports he will be replaced.
Chelsea have had a high turnover of players over the last few years, with the Blues typically not allowing much time for players to leave their mark. Chelsea have been a little better in that department in the last year, with the transfer strategy switching to one that focuses on young players, and by nature young players need time to develop.
Still, Enzo Maresca has been rather ruthless with the senior players he feels do not meet the mark, with players like Nicolas Jackson getting little grace.
Such a firm approach has often led to rumours claiming that Maresca has decided to axe this player or that, and the summer saw goalkeeper Robert Sanchez heavily linked with an exit. The goalkeeper did have his wobbles last season, but he improved significantly as the campaign went on, and the Spaniard enjoyed a very strong second half of the season.
The issue for Sanchez was that is appeared as though AC Milan star Mike Maignan was available on a cheap - or cheaper than usual - deal in the summer, and Chelsea looked to take advantage. The Blues ultimately decided to walk away from a deal, with Milan unwilling to sell on reduced terms.
Chelsea did not try to sign another goalkeeper, and they kept faith with Sanchez, who has had a strong start to the season And interestingly, speaking to The Athletic after Chelsea’s win over Tottenham, Sanchez claimed Chelsea have never suggested they would replace him as the club’s number one.
“I feel confident, I am fit and at my best. I have always felt settled because the club always told me I am No.1,” he said.
The Maignan question
While Chelsea have been rewarded for keeping faith with Sanchez, the Maignan question could come back in the coming weeks. Milan still haven’t been able to agree a new contract with the Frenchman, who is out of contract at the end of this season.
Chelsea could agree a pre-contract to sign Maignan for free in the summer from January 1, and that option will remain for as long as Milan haven’t agreed a new deal.
The question will be whether Chelsea still feel as though Maignan is an upgrade on Sanchez, and we will get to see whether Maresca will continue his ruthless approach, or whether he will keep faith with Sanchez, who hasn’t given his boss many reasons to doubt him this season.
Maresca on the importance of strong defending
Speaking after the Spurs game, Maresca spoke of the importance of his side getting things right defensively. “I’m happy with the 1-0 and the three points, easily because we kept a clean sheet because it’s what we need for the future,” he said. “We know that we are a team that is going to score goals but we need to do better defensively.”
Maresca added: “I think the performance was very good on and off the ball. The way we tried to press was very important but I think the game against Liverpool was very good. We need that if we are going to be close to the top, defensively solid. We know we always score goals but we need to concede less goals.”
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