Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has hit out at defender Tosin Adarabioyo in an unprovoked dig following the midweek loss away at Leeds United, while also outlining his one regret from the game.
The Blues were heavily beaten 3-1 at Elland Road on Wednesday night, a dismal defeat in what has otherwise been a positive run of form. They conceded from a set piece inside the opening 10 minutes, before Ao Tanaka added a second for the hosts before half-time.
Pedro Neto pulled a goal back shortly after the break, but it wasn't enough as Dominic Calvert-Lewin delivered the final blow late in the game, with Maresca’s squad unable to muster any kind of response. They remain fourth in the Premier League standings as a result, with an away trip to Bournemouth to come this weekend - a game they must win if they are to retain their place in the current top four.
With Reece James rested and unused against Leeds, and Moises Caicedo absent due to suspension, Maresca was pressed in his pre-match press conference about the lack of experience and leadership within such a young squad. However, the manager believes the result was more down to sub-par performances from certain players - and he name-checked Adarabioyo.
Tosin Adarabioyo of Chelsea during the Premier League defeat against Leeds United
Tosin Adarabioyo of Chelsea during the Premier League defeat against Leeds United (Image: Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
"We are always talking about experience when we drop points but when we beat Barcelona and drew with Arsenal, no one is talking about experienced players," he explained on Friday morning. "This was not the reason.
"We have experienced players, one that was suspended and one who has an injury. Who was the most experienced player for us in the week? Tosin. Did he play good? So it is not about experience."
That said, Maresca did concede he may have got his selection wrong against Leeds. With James rested and unused, Trevoh Chalobah filled in at right-back, with Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile at centre-back - but teenager Josh Acheampong may have been the better option in hindsight.
"One of the regrets I have after the game is that I didn't play with Josh," Maresca added. "The reason why we played with Trevoh, Benoit and Tosin was because we saw long balls to their strikers, but even that, we lost most of them."
The Blues face Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon and will be determined to get back to winning ways. They then must prepare for a midweek Champions League clash away at Atalanta before the visit of Everton a few days later.
In Europe, Chelsea are currently seventh in the league phase standings and just inside the automatic qualification places. Along with Atalanta, their remaining fixtures include games against Pafos and Napoli.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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