Enzo Maresca’s injury admission shows big mistake Chelsea manager is making

Chelsea slumped to a surprise 2-1 defeat to Sunderland on Saturday, ending a positive run of form for the Stamford Bridge side.

The Blues have been looking much-improved in recent weeks, with a win over Premier League champions Liverpool before the international break a highlight for the fans.

However, the defeat to Sunderland leaves Chelsea outside the top four and the side’s inconsistency week-to-week will frustrate the supporters.

Manager Enzo Maresca admitted after the game that a number of Blues players are carrying injuries and this could well have contributed to a flat performance.

Joao Pedro not at his best

Chelsea signed Joao Pedro from Brighton in the summer to refresh their attacking options, with the Brazil international seen as a man who could help springboard the London club to success.

However, the South American forward has struggled to settle at Stamford Bridge and again put in a forgettable performance in the defeat to Sunderland.

Maresca conceded after the game that Pedro was carrying an injury and is part of a Chelsea core who are not 100 per cent fit.

“Joao is not training every day because he’s managing a little bit himself from the injury problem,” the Italian said, as per Football London.

“Moi [Caicedo] is exactly the same, Enzo [Fernandez] is exactly the same.

“We have four or five players that unfortunately, because of some problems, they cannot work every day and they try to make the effort to play the game.”

Maresca needs to trust his squad

It’s clear that the three afore-mentioned players – Pedro, Caicedo and Fernandez – are key men in the Chelsea ranks and will be at the core of what the side achieves this season.

However, given the strength in depth the London club have after exorbitant spending in the transfer market in recent years, Maresca’s injury confession shows an over-reliance on his main players.

Chelsea had Romeo Lavia on the bench and while the Belgian has had his own injury concerns, he was an unused substitute as the two other central midfielders played the full game.

Meanwhile in attack, Andrey Santos, William Estevao and Tyrique George could have deputised from the start but were only introduced late in the piece.

Chelsea have a wealth of riches in terms of players that many other Premier League clubs will envy – Maresca needs to delve into it to relieve pressure on some of his key men, especially if they are carrying injuries.

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