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ENZO MARESCA PRAISES CHELSEA’S HISTORIC NIGHT AFTER RECORD-BREAKING CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TRI

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca hailed a "special night for the club" after his young Blues side made history, becoming the first team with three different teenagers to score in a single Champions League match.

Enzo Maresca Praises Chelsea’s Historic Night After Record-Breaking Champions League Tri
Enzo Maresca's side ran riot at Stamford Bridge to mark their 200th Champions League game in style on a night where the club's young stars impressed - Photo Credit: Getty Images

After the match, Maresca expressed his pride in his team, who made history by being the first to have three different youngsters score in a Champions League match.

Extremely proud. In his press conference following the game, Maresca stated, "It is a special night for the club, for the young players."

"I believe Marc Guiu scored five or six goals for Chelsea in the Conference last year. Ty and Estevao have already scored in the Premier League. Overall, I believe it was a fantastic evening, particularly for the club and these young youngsters.

After the interval, the 18-year-old had a chance to score again but missed an appealing George cross. Maresca commended Estevao's humility and said he was "extremely lucky" to have the Brazilian under his control.

"You are usually a little concerned about young guys because they play one or two games, have a terrific game, score, and believe they are already top players," Maresca added.

The good thing about Estevao is that we do not have to worry about that because he wants to work hard and is very modest and courteous. I think it is great that he has a great family and that they are really close to him since he is a unique player, but you do not need to worry.

He will now play one, two, and score games, and he already believes that he is good. The good news is that he is a very straightforward youngster.

Being his manager makes me feel incredibly fortunate because it is fun and thrilling. We frequently remarked, "I believe that the fans ultimately purchase tickets to witness players like Cole (Palmer), Estevao, and others of this calibre." Therefore, having players like Estevao is nice.

The wonderful thing about Estevao is that we do not have to worry about that because he wants to work hard and is very modest and courteous.

Additionally, 17-year-old academy midfielder Reggie Walsh made his Champions League debut.

Walsh and Chelsea, who last participated in Europe's top league in 2023, both see the Champions League as a significant step ahead.

Walsh, however, did not appear out of place, and Chelsea's thrilling win demonstrated their title credentials.

"The club's objective is to cultivate young players." There are a lot of young guys here. We were, I believe, the Premier League's youngest team last season, and we are continuing that trend this year.

"Tonight, we switched from Nottingham Forest's game to 10 players." Although switching so many players from the Premier League to the Champions League is difficult, we must do it; otherwise, they would struggle since we have to protect some of the players in many games. Tonight, in my opinion, was also a positive night because we were able to rotate people, particularly with the red card.

WHY WAS COLE PALMER SUBBED? THE REAL REASON BEHIND THE STAMFORD BRIDGE BOOS

Fans booed as Cole Palmer was subbed in Chelsea's draw with Bournemouth. Learn why Maresca was absent and what’s next for the Blues.

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Managing Cole Palmer’s return

After Chelsea's 2-2 tie with Bournemouth, assistant coach Willy Caballero defended the choice to sub off Cole Palmer, even though fans at Stamford Bridge were angry about Enzo Maresca's move.

Fans booed, yelling, You don't know what you're doing! when Palmer—who'd been one of the team's better players—was taken out in the 63rd minute. The home team was trying to score and break their bad Premier League streak at the time.

Chelsea has only won one of their last seven league games. Caballero said afterward that head coach Enzo Maresca, who wasn't there for the post-game interviews due to illness, is still a role model for everyone at the club.

Still, the pressure is on the coach after yet another result slipped away. Chelsea has now lost 13 points at home from winning positions.

The mood got especially sour when Palmer, who just came back from an injury, was taken off in the second half.

Every fan wants the best players on the field, Caballero said. We do, too. But Cole is coming back from a long injury. So we have to figure out the best substitutions to win the game while also keeping our players healthy. We need them for the entire season.

Caballero said about Maresca's absence, "He hasn't been feeling well for the past two days." He had a fever two days ago. He did the last two practices because he wanted to get the team ready. But after the game, he went to the locker room and asked me to fill in because he wasn't feeling well.

He's handling it well and is very professional. He puts in a lot of hours every day, even when he wasn't feeling well the last two days. He loves to train and coach. He's a role model for me and the rest of the staff.

Bournemouth took the lead after six minutes when David Brooks scored on his second try after Robert Sanchez made a save. Then, Palmer scored a penalty to tie the game for Chelsea.

Next, Enzo Fernandez put the home team ahead, but the Blues couldn't hold on to their lead again. Justin Kluivert tied the score before halftime after Chelsea failed to handle a long throw-in from Antoine Semenyo.

There's been a lot of talk that this would be Semenyo's last game for Bournemouth before he moves to Manchester City soon. Before leaving the field, he seemed to say goodbye to the fans who had traveled to see the game.

Still, head coach Andoni Iraola was sure he'd play against Arsenal on Saturday.

It's not his last game here with us, he said. I can't say for sure, but I think he'll play.

He needs to rest. We've played two tough games in three days. We have Arsenal at home, so we're getting ready for another one, a tough game against the leaders. He's going to be important for us.

BREAKING: ENZO MARESCA SKIPS MEDIA AS CHELSEA CRISIS DEEPENS! GET THE HEALTH UPDATE

Enzo Maresca missed the post-match media due to a fever after Chelsea's 2-2 draw. Willy Caballero provides an urgent update on his health.

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Chelsea's winless run continues as Maresca falls ill

Enzo Maresca skipped media interviews after Chelsea's 2-2 tie with Bournemouth because he was sick.

The Blues coach was supposed to chat after his team snagged a point against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

But right before he was about to talk about the game, news dropped that Maresca wasn't feeling good.

So, his assistant, Willy Caballero, stepped in to handle things in west London.

Caballero shared an update on Maresca: He's been under the weather for a couple of days, Caballero said. He had a fever two days ago.

After the game, he went to the locker room and asked me to fill in for him since he wasn't feeling well.

Caballero was asked if he'd be in charge against Manchester City on Sunday, like he was against Villa during Maresca's suspension.

"I'm not sure," he said. I just want Enzo to get better. I think he'll be fine in a day or two.

The draw with Bournemouth means Chelsea has only won one of their last seven Premier League games.

Fans were clearly annoyed during the second half when Cole Palmer was subbed out for Joao Pedro.

Palmer just got back to playing regularly after a groin injury, but some Chelsea fans wondered why he was taken out.

About the boos, Caballero said, "Of course, every fan wants their best players on the field, and so do we."

But Cole is coming off a long injury, so we have to figure out the right subs for the game and also look out for our players since we didn't have him for a while.

Chelsea and Bournemouth had a boring 0-0 draw in their previous match earlier in the month.

But the game at Stamford Bridge was totally different, with Bournemouth taking the lead early on through David Brooks.

Palmer leveled the score with a penalty, and then Enzo Fernandez blasted a shot into the top corner to put Chelsea ahead.

But Chelsea failed to defend a long throw for the second time, allowing Justin Kluivert to score for Bournemouth.

After playing City, Chelsea will face their west London rivals Fulham before an FA Cup game away against Charlton Athletic.

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