Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has discussed his future, team selection and resting Cole Palmer all as part of his pre-match press conference before his side take on Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup.
Enzo Maresca head coach of Chelsea FC gestures during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 match against Atalanta BC
Enzo Maresca has discussed his future as Chelsea boss(Image: (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images))
Everything you need to know about Enzo Maresca's pre-Cardiff press conference for Chelsea
Enzo Maresca's commitment to Chelsea:Enzo Maresca unequivocally confirmed his dedication to the club by stating, "Absolutely yes," when asked if he was committed to being the Chelsea head coach. This puts to rest any immediate speculation regarding his future following his recent dramatic outburst, where he stated he had the "worst 48 hours" since joining the club.
Refusal to elaborate on outburst: The manager firmly declined to provide any further context or detail regarding his controversial "worst 48 hours" comments from days prior. He explicitly told the press he had "nothing to add" and that he believed his previous statements were "quite clear."
Protecting Cole Palmer: The head coach hinted that star player Cole Palmer would be rested for the Carabao Cup match due to his workload. Maresca clearly stated that Palmer "deserves to be protected" and is not fit to play two demanding games within a three-day period, suggesting he will not be available.
Team rotation plans: Maresca announced that there would definitely be changes made to the starting lineup for the cup tie against Cardiff. He mentioned the need for some players to recover their energy, indicating that rotation is necessary to manage the squad's fitness.
Praise for Cardiff City: The Chelsea boss praised the opposition, acknowledging that Brian Barry-Murphy is doing a great job at Cardiff. He currently has them at the top of League One, while Maresca praised the "nice football" his side play. The Chelsea boss cautioned his team that they "need to pay attention and be careful" to avoid an upset.
Importance of cup success: Maresca highlighted the club's desire to achieve cup success, especially for the fans, given Chelsea's rich history. He reiterated the importance of performing well to "achieve the third semi-final" during his relatively short 18-month tenure at the club so far.