Enzo Maresca will be looking to create as little drama as possible when his Chelsea side take on Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
It has been a turbulent week for Maresca after he made some comments after the win against Everton, where he seemed to fire shots at some of those higher up than him at the club.
Maresca doubled down on his claims when he refused to clarify things in his pre-Cardiff press conference, and the situation is an unfortunate cloud hanging over their quarter-final tie.
The boss is still looking to win over all corners of the fanbase despite already delivering two trophies to Stamford Bridge since his arrival.
Soccer - Capital One Cup - Final - Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur - Wembley Stadium
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John Terry tells Enzo Maresca to copy Jose Mourinho and prioritise Carabao Cup
John Terry believes Maresca can take a page out of Jose Mourinho’s book by putting a real emphasis on winning the Carabao Cup this season.
He said on his TikTok: “When Mourinho arrived at Chelsea, he said about winning the Premier League. It had been so long since Chelsea had won the league title, but he put a real emphasis on the Carabao Cup, being the first available trophy that we could win, and we did, we beat Liverpool in the final.
“But his main focus was this trophy. He said it’s so important to get this first one under our belt. We were all a little bit inexperienced within in the group. Once we got that first taste, in Cardiff funnily enough, it certainly gives you the appetite to go and win more.”
Atalanta BC v Chelsea FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6
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Maresca set to rotate vs Cardiff
It is expected that there will be plenty of rotation on display for Chelsea’s clash in Wales. Marc Cucurella’s suspension will give Jorrel Hato the chance to start.
Maresca confirmed Cole Palmer wouldn’t play, with the Blues hoping to manage his return from injury well.
Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Enzo Fernandez are all players likely to be on the bench, while we could see the domestic return of Moises Caicedo after his three-game suspension.
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