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CAICEDO OUT: ENZO MARESCA NAMES SURPRISE MIDFIELD REPLACEMENT
Chelsea faces a midfield gap with Caicedo suspended. Maresca trusts Andrey Santos is ready and acknowledges the challenge of managing key player Reece James's fitness smartly.
Enzo Maresca says Chelsea needs to be smart about managing Reece James’ fitness as they prepare to face Leeds United.
The Blues captain has proven to be a solid midfield option, stepping into the role during Sunday's game against Arsenal after Moises Caicedo was sent off and performing well.
With Caicedo now suspended for three games, there's a big gap in Chelsea’s midfield.
Although playing James in that position is appealing, Maresca hinted at Tuesday's press conference that he might rest James at Elland Road.
James is also an option at right back. The Chelsea coach is prepared to decide where he plays based on who they're up against.
‘It’s tricky. I’d like to start him, but we have to be smart,’ Maresca said.
‘He can play in both spots. He’s played fullback most of his career, but he’s also played midfield.
‘I think he’s good in both roles. If we play him in midfield, it’s usually because we want that physical presence in the middle. It depends on the game plan, but he’s doing great in both positions.’
Maresca names a surprising option to replace Caicedo in midfield.
Maresca is confident that Andrey Santos can fill the void left by Caicedo’s suspension. He also mentioned another Chelsea player who could step into the midfield role.
Caicedo received a straight red card in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal after a reckless challenge on Mikel Merino in the first half.
Despite his protests, the referee quickly changed the yellow card to a red, resulting in a three-game suspension.
Caicedo will miss the Leeds game, Saturday’s match against Bournemouth, and the home game against Everton on December 13.
This leaves a significant gap in the midfield, where Caicedo has been in great form. However, Chelsea has a good young player in Santos, who played well against Burnley after the international break when Caicedo was benched.
Santos had a great loan spell at Strasbourg last year, but has only started three Premier League and Champions League games this season.
Maresca believes the 21-year-old is now ready to step up. He also mentioned academy player Josh Acheampong, a centre-half, as another possible option.
For sure, we’re a better team with Cole [Palmer], with Moi [Caicedo], and with Levi [Colwill, out with an ACL injury], but when these players aren’t available, we need to find solutions, Maresca said at a press conference on Tuesday.
‘Now we need to do things a bit differently.
‘Andrey is ready. He plays as a No. 6, like Moi, and he’s ready. Josh [Acheampong] can also play well in that position, but we’ll see.’
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.
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.
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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