Stockholm, Sweden — Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is navigating a tricky lineup decision as his team prepares to face Liverpool this Sunday in a crucial Premier League clash. The match comes off the back of a mixed performance in their last outing against Legia Warsaw, where a disappointing result has left Maresca reconsidering his strategy.
Reece James, Chelsea’s captain, is returning from a series of injuries. Although he would prefer to start every match, there’s a sense of disappointment in his current situation. Maresca’s decision to use James tonight against Djurgården, a mid-table Swedish club, means he likely won’t feature against Liverpool, as the Thursday-Sunday fixture schedule typically doesn’t favor such rotations.
“He’s very important for us,” Maresca said before the match. “We’ve said many times, especially in these kinds of games, he brings experience that helps his teammates. The eight changes tonight reflect our belief that this is the best XI for this game.”
One of the players stepping up in this match is young striker Tyrique George. Maresca expressed optimism about George starting, stating, “We need to trust young players; we need to give them chances, so hopefully he’s going to have a good game.”
As Chelsea prepares to play on the artificial pitch at 3 Arena, Maresca dismissed it as an excuse for poor performance. “The pitch is what it is. We need to adapt. We are here to play a game, to try and win, and we’re going to try our best, knowing it’s different from what we’re used to.”
Maresca’s current lineup is a reflection of the team’s depth. Due to a lack of options, players like Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo are being utilized despite the critical match approaching against Liverpool. Maresca has expressed concern about weaknesses in his squad, indicating a need for more dependable players in certain positions.
“If we had a reliable left back, I would love to rest Marc Cucurella,” Maresca noted. “But we don’t have that luxury right now.” With Liverpool looming, it is clear that Chelsea’s squad decisions are made with caution as they balance player rotations versus crucial upcoming games.
This season is pivotal for Chelsea, and keeping their coach into a second season seems promising. Maresca aims to clarify the type of players he needs for deeper squad strength in the next transfer window.
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