Enzo Maresca insists it is ’too early’ to judge Chelsea’s Premier League aspirations – but knows they need to ’find a solution’ to coping without injured forward Cole Palmer.
Although he has struggled for form and fitness so far this campaign, former Manchester City star Palmer was the Blues’ leading light last season and now faces a three-week spell on the sidelines to recover fully from a groin injury.
Tipped as title contenders
Sixth-placed Chelsea had been tipped by many as top-flight title contenders in pre-season, but they find themselves trailing leaders Liverpool by seven points after only five games.
The Blues have bagged two wins and two draws after stumbling to a 2-1 defeat to Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend, where a red card for goalkeeper Robert Sanchez proved costly for the Londoners.
Maresca is happy with the goalkeeping options, however, and told Sky Sports ahead of Saturday’s 3pm clash with Brighton & Hove Albion: “Sanchez made a mistake at Man United, but we are happy with Robert and we are happy with Filip Jorgensen – both of them.”
Mistakes happen
The Italian continued: “Not any problem with Robert. Mistakes can happen. It’s a quick decision.
“You say we’ve conceded five goals because of those mistakes, but how many have we saved because of Sanchez? I think many.”
Scoring goals has not been an issue for Chelsea, with summer signing João Pedro having registered two goals and three assists in five league games so far.
That has offset the drop in form from talisman Palmer, who Maresca admits will be missed in the coming weeks.
The Chelsea boss told a press conference: “We’re going to find a different solution without Cole.
“Last year [against Brighton] we had Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu out, [Pedro] Neto played as a number nine. He’s playing there, doing some good things. We’re going to find solutions.
“It’s a bit early to think this will define the season. It’s too early. The main things are growing and improving – this is important for me as the manager.”
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Protecting Palmer
Maresca added: “We decided to protect Cole, so it doesn’t get worse in the injury.
“So we will rest him for the next two or three weeks until [after the] international break, to see if the rest means he can recover 100 per cent.
“It’s just managing the pain in his groin. The amount of games, this can happen.
“We try to be a bit conservative with him and hopefully he can be 100 per cent after the international break.”
The Special One returns
After the Brighton game, Chelsea welcome former manager José Mourinho back to Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, when Benfica visit the capital for a Champions League clash.
Maresca’s men then cap off a hat-trick of home games when Arne Slot’s defending champions Liverpool land in London on Saturday, October 4, for a 12.30pm brunch crunch.
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SportJustSport writers