He is not going to start for me against Liverpool, this is the strong decision that I have made and I believe Chelsea fans will respect my decision”, Enzo Maresca finally reveals the only ONE Chelsea player that will be dropped to bench against Liverpool for costing Him the Nottingham Forest game
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s head coach, has made a significant decision ahead of their highly anticipated Premier League clash with Liverpool at Anfield. Following Chelsea’s 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest before the international break, Maresca revealed that he has decided to bench one particular player, whose performance cost them the Forest game. While he did not mention the player’s name, Maresca emphasized that this tough decision is final and believes that Chelsea fans will understand and support his reasoning.
Chelsea, aiming to get back on track, currently sits fourth in the Premier League standings with 14 points from seven matches. Despite the recent draw, they have made a strong start to the 2024-25 campaign. The team remains unbeaten in its last seven games across all competitions, with their only league loss coming in the opening match against Manchester City. They now prepare for a major test against league leaders Liverpool, who have 18 points from their first seven games.
As the match approaches, several key players will be unavailable for Chelsea. One notable absentee is Reece James, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury. Although James has returned to training, he won’t be ready for the Liverpool game and is expected to return by the end of October, potentially in time for Chelsea’s match against Newcastle United on October 27.
In addition to James, Chelsea will be missing both Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana due to suspensions. Cucurella received his fifth yellow card of the season during the draw with Nottingham Forest, resulting in a one-game suspension. The Spanish defender will return for Chelsea’s Champions League game against Panathinaikos on October 24. Similarly, Fofana is also serving a suspension for accumulating yellow cards and will be eligible to return on the same date.
Chelsea’s injury list and suspensions have left Maresca with some difficult choices as they look to face an in-form Liverpool side. However, with the depth of talent in Chelsea’s squad and their strong start to the season, they will be eager to make a statement and regain momentum in the league. Fans will be hoping for a positive result, knowing that Maresca has made the necessary changes to strengthen the team’s chances at Anfield.
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s head coach, has indeed made a significant decision ahead of their Premier League clash against Liverpool at Anfield. Following the 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest before the international break, Maresca hinted at benching one player whose performance contributed to that disappointing result. While he didn’t reveal the name of the player, it’s clear this decision is aimed at reinforcing Chelsea’s lineup as they prepare for the challenge against Liverpool.
Chelsea faces additional challenges as several key players will be unavailable. Reece James is still recovering from a hamstring injury, though he is expected to return later in October. Defenders Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana are also out due to suspensions following yellow card accumulations, which further complicates Chelsea’s squad selection【11†source】【13†source】.
With Chelsea currently sitting fourth in the Premier League and Liverpool leading the table, this match is crucial for Maresca’s side to regain momentum.