Chelsea’s game against Aston Villa at the weekend was lost because they brought on subs which improved their team and we brought on subs which made us worse.
We conceded and looked lost, while they gained confidence. It’s not as simple as that, but it’s almost as simple as that.
Maresca on experience, subs and holding on to leads
Enzo Maresca looks dejected on the touchline.
Enzo Maresca looks dejected on the touchline. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Enzo Maresca was asked in his press conference previewing the Bournemouth game tomorrow night, which actually took place after the Villa game, whether more experience in his team could have helped:
“Again, I don’t know, it’s just a matter to understand the reason why, because I don’t think it’s random, when something continues to happen, it’s not random. So we need to understand why, no matter if we are winning, drawing or losing, we concede a goal, we lose a little bit of control. So we need to understand the reason why.”
It’s a bit of a non-answer, but given he speaks about it being “not random,” maybe he’s actually agreeing with the questioner as much as he can without getting in trouble once again for questioning the model of those above him.
He was asked whether he could change things by saying something different to the subs he brought on, but shot down that idea pretty quickly:
“No [it’s not something I could say to them], I think it’s in general.”
In other news…
Our Under-18s are flying right now, and that’s in large part down to their great coach, Hassan Sulaiman. He spoke to the club’s website about the season so far.
If you’re hoping that a nifty January transfer could solve Chelsea’s winter woes, think again. That’s not what their model is built for. There will be no Ollie Watkins or Antoine Semenyo for the fans to get excited about and help us win trophies.
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Enzo Maresca on the touchline against Newcastle.
Enzo Maresca watches from the stands.