With two games a week at the moment, there are a lot of press conference for Enzo Maresca to handle.
That’s probably good, because there’s a lot to talk about. Among other topics today, Maresca was asked about Alejandro Garnacho, who is expected to start against Atalanta tonight.
Enzo Maresca says there’s “more” to come from Garnacho
Enzo Maresca embraces Alejandro Garnacho.
Enzo Maresca embraces Alejandro Garnacho. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
“He can give much more, but not only Alejandro. I think all the players, we try to work every day with them, just to try to improve them,” Maresca said of the summer signing.
“It’s been quite easy to work with him, in terms of he wants to learn, he’s open-minded, he’s working good on the ball and off the ball. And then again, some games he’s better, some games he tries a little bit more. But overall he’s doing well with us.”
This treatment – compliments mixed with a strong demand for more – remind us a lot of how Maresca treated Noni Madueke last season. He always wanted to encourage him, but was never really happy with what the winger was offering him. There was a sense Madueke was willing to ease off once he had scored or once Chelsea were winning.
Let’s hope he can get Garnacho to the next level. Maresca never quite seemed happy with what he got out of Madueke, hence his sale and eventual replacement by the Argentine in the summer.
In other news…
Also in that press conference, Enzo Maresca effectively ruled out two players from the game tonight, for different reasons.
Given that, the team selection tonight is going to be really interesting – Moises Caicedo is back, but there are a lot of other question marks as Chelsea look to take a major step forwards with 3 points.
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Alejandro Garnacho battles for the ball.