Bobby Boucher
In a club where uncertainty looms over many players’ futures, one thing is abundantly clear: Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s head coach, communicates his decisions with unwavering clarity. The Italian coach has faced criticism for what some have described as a “brutal” approach to team management. However, Maresca refutes this characterization, emphasizing that honesty is at the core of his philosophy.
“Brutal? I don’t think so. I try to be honest,”
Maresca said in response to claims of harshness in his decision-making. He elaborated by providing specific examples involving two prominent players.
“I spoke with Raheem [Sterling] before the [Manchester] City game. I said he is going to struggle to get minutes with us, and this is the reason why he is out of the squad,”
Maresca explained. Regarding Ben Chilwell, the coach was equally direct.
“With Chilly, I said he is a lovely guy, but he is going to struggle because of his position. He is going to struggle,”
he added.
For Maresca, transparency is not synonymous with brutality.
“If you define this as brutal, it’s up to you to decide. For me, it’s not brutal; it’s just honest,”
he stated firmly.
A Club Overflowing with Talent
One of the most pressing issues at Chelsea is the sheer number of players in their squad. At present, 33 players are listed on the club’s official website as part of the first team. However, this count does not include several individuals who have returned from loan spells, such as Tino Anjorin, Alex Matos, and Harvey Vale.
Chelsea’s aggressive recruitment strategy this summer has only compounded the issue. The club has made 11 signings, with the latest addition being Joao Felix, who was announced just moments before Maresca’s press conference. Additionally, Conor Gallagher’s move to Atletico Madrid was confirmed not long before.
Naturally, Maresca faced questions about both transfers. While he expressed his enthusiasm for Felix’s arrival, he also defended the club’s decision to part ways with Gallagher, an academy graduate. The coach remained confident in the club’s direction, even amid external concerns about Chelsea’s bloated roster.
Training and Absentees
Despite the ongoing transfer activity, 24 players took to the field during Wednesday’s open training session at Cobham. This group consisted of 20 outfield players and four goalkeepers, including notable names like Robert Sanchez, Moises Caicedo, and Christopher Nkunku.
The absentees from training included Raheem Sterling, who was left out of the squad last Sunday and is now actively seeking a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge. Maresca made it clear that his decision regarding Sterling was based on tactical preferences rather than a judgment on the player’s abilities.
“I’m not saying Raheem is not a good player, but I prefer different kinds of wingers,”
Maresca explained, shedding light on his decision to exclude the England international from first-team training.
Ben Chilwell, too, finds himself out of favor under the new coach. Maresca has opted for either Marc Cucurella or Renato Veiga in the left-back position, leaving the 27-year-old Chilwell on the sidelines. Similarly, Armando Broja, who is nearing a move to Ipswich Town on loan with an obligation to buy, is also training separately.
Trevoh Chalobah, another academy graduate, has been informed that he does not have a future at Chelsea. The defender is available for transfer, and with the transfer window drawing to a close, interest in his services is growing.
Which Chelsea Players Are Being Sold?
At this point, Chelsea are looking to offload several players who are either available for sale or loan before the transfer window shuts next Friday. The list of those training away from the first-team includes Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, Armando Broja, Trevoh Chalobah, Romelu Lukaku, Kepa Arrizabalaga, David Datro Fofana, Angelo Gabriel, Lucas Bergstrom, Deivid Washington, Tino Anjorin, Harvey Vale, and Alex Matos.
While Maresca and Chelsea are keen to reduce the size of their squad, the coach did not rule out the possibility of further additions to the team before the window closes.
“We’ll see. As I said before, there is still 10 days,”
Maresca said during his press conference.
“Unfortunately, as I said, there is still 10 days and anything can happen. For us, in terms of selling players and also bringing in players. We’ll see.”
Is Chelsea a Club in Transition?
Chelsea’s ongoing transfer dealings have led some to describe the situation at the club as a “mess.” However, Maresca remains confident that order will emerge from the current uncertainty. With just days remaining in the transfer window, the coming period will likely provide more clarity regarding the squad’s composition.
Although many questions remain unanswered, one thing is evident: Enzo Maresca is committed to steering Chelsea through this challenging phase with honesty and decisiveness. How the club manages its overcrowded squad and navigates the final days of the transfer window will be critical in shaping the team’s fortunes for the season ahead.
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