Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, recently shared his thoughts following a narrow 2-1 victory over Newcastle United in the English Premier League. The match saw the absence of notable players like Brazilian midfielder Enzo Fernandez, Spanish defender Marc Cucurella, and forward Joao Felix, raising questions about Maresca’s decision to bench key talents.
Despite missing these players, Chelsea managed to secure a win with early goals from Nicolas Jackson in the 18th minute and Cole Palmer in the 47th. However, Newcastle’s Alexander Isak scored in the 32nd minute, briefly narrowing the lead and adding pressure on Chelsea’s defense.
After the game, Maresca openly discussed the challenges of leaving out talented players, saying, “Every game, I feel bad. I feel shame because I have to leave players out, but it’s the only way to try to compete.” He highlighted that maintaining Chelsea’s distinct playing style and identity is crucial, regardless of lineup changes: “No matter how many changes we make, the style must be there, the identity is there,” he emphasized.
Maresca’s remarks underline his commitment to Chelsea’s evolving strategy and team identity, even amid difficult choices and lineup rotations.
