Chelsea’s quietly brilliant start under new manager Enzo Maresca has left many questioning his drastic changes to the squad over the summer, including the dropping of Ben Chilwell. In his first few months in charge, Maresca has led the Blues to six wins from their last eight games, ensuring they hold promising positions in both the Premier League and Conference League tables. The Italian, who was once perceived as an unconventional choice, has batted away doubts and criticisms, earning praise from fans and pundits alike.
Part of Maresca’s success can be attributed to the relative stability of the team’s injury list. Chelsea’s key players are currently healthy and available for selection, with the exception of a few youngsters. Among those is 20-year-old Romeo Lavia, who has been plagued by fitness issues since joining the club from Southampton. Lavia has managed to impress when available, and is expected to start against Newcastle United, along with fellow returning player Reece James.
James, who has struggled to find consistency due to injuries, made a successful return in Chelsea’s recent 2-1 defeat to Liverpool. Maresca has revealed he will be cautious with James’ use, only considering him for once-a-week appearances. Pedro Neto, who played in a wing-back role in their 4-1 win over Panathinaikos, is expected to start instead. Another bright spot on the horizon for Chelsea is the return of 19-year-old attacking talent Omari Kellyman, who is nursing a hamstring complaint. Despite this, the England under-19 star hopes to be available next month.
While Maresca didn’t quite get his wish for Ben Chilwell to leave during the summer transfer window, the 27-year-old left-back has been unavailable for selection due to illness. With Marc Cucurella securing the left-back spot and appearing to be settled, Chilwell’s future at the club remains uncertain.
Despite the many changes and improvements, the real test for Maresca’s Chelsea will come in the coming weeks, starting with their Premier League match against Newcastle United. With the squad’s current form, Chelsea fans can cautiously look forward to a bright future under their new manager.
