Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca emphasized the importance of standards after he cancelled a scheduled day off due to what he deemed as a poor showing in training.
With a reduced squad during the international break, Maresca was left unhappy with the performance of some members of the squad during an informal game against a Chelsea youth team last Wednesday. In response the Italian demanded the players come in the following day rather than having the Thursday off.
Maresca played down the significance of cancelling the rest day in preference for an extra session. “It was a normal session with the boys, not about punishment or making them run,” he said.
“The day after they are completely aware of the standards of the day before. Everyone was here laughing. Nothing that from outside you can see but inside wasn’t nothing different.”
This insistence on excellence has been a common theme in Maresca's public comments since joining Chelsea in June, and his unwavering approach to success is said to have contributed to convincing Chelsea's hierarchy to appoint the ex-Leicester manager. Back in December, Maresca didn't hold back in his assessment of Noni Madueke's approach in training sessions and during Chelsea's 5-1 away victory over Southampton. Following these events, Madueke found himself left out of the squad for Chelsea's 3-0 win at home against Aston Villa.
Maresca also sought to take action against the team’s recent poor form by calling a meeting of around a hundred club staff in order to impress upon the players the sheer number of people who are working to help them succeed.
“I like the big picture,” he said. “It was the international break, no official game, not many players. The game we had against the second team, we had two or three players from them play with us because we didn’t have the numbers.
“In terms of high standards, it was not right. So we took the decision the day after to work. It’s not an official game, you have seven or eight players, the day after is off so you are thinking it’s already off. But it’s not off, tomorrow is off not today. Today you have to do the right job.”
With both Madueke and Nicolas Jackson poised for a comeback against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Thursday after being sidelined for the past two months due to injuries, and Cole Palmer also expected to make a return following his absence in the loss to Arsenal in March, there's a sense of optimism.
However, Romeo Lavia's recovery has hit another snag and he won't be available, which means Maresca will have to rely on Enzo Fernandez to continue in the holding midfield position, which isn't his preferred spot.
"It's unfortunate for him (Lavia), it's sad," Maresca expressed. "Players train every day because they want to play. He's had more problems, it's not something big or important. We can have him back in a short time.
"When you have injuries you probably need to go again with the same players, which in this moment is not the best solution. But if you have injuries you have to try to find solutions."
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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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