Enzo Maresca hints Chelsea pair will start vs Lincoln City in Carabao Cup
Enzo Maresca could be forced to play two of his first-team stars in Chelsea’s Carabao Cup tie against Lincoln City.
Chelsea head into the game with several injury problems. Liam Delap is still on the sidelines, while Cole Palmer is having real issues with his groin.
In defence, Maresca is without Levi Colwill and is not expected to have him back until the end of the season.
The Chelsea head coach also has to be cautious with Wesley Fofana, who has struggled to stay fit during his time in west London.
Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo could start at the LNER Stadium
Because of Fofana’s fitness issues and Colwill’s unavailability, Maresca has hinted that he may have to start both Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo against Lincoln.
Chalobah and Adarabioyo have been Chelsea’s main centre-back pairing this season, and Maresca may have to rely on them again at the LNER Stadium because of his lack of options.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, which has been relayed by Chelsea’s official club website, the Italian said: “I would love to rest [Tosin and Chalobah] because they deserve to rest. The problem is that we have Wes, who is only playing after a long time out. Some of them need to play.”
Josh Acheampong and Jorrel Hato can also play in central defence, but it is likely that they will be used in the two full-back positions.
Chelsea fans have not been happy with Maresca’s treatment of Acheampong, feeling that the 19-year-old has been underused in the current campaign.
What Trevoh Chalobah said after Manchester United defeat
Chalobah started and scored in Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester United last weekend and had a message for his teammates after the loss.
The England international made it clear that the Blues cannot use being a young team as an excuse any more.
He told Chelsea’s website in a post-match interview at Old Trafford: “We’ve got to look at ourselves and take responsibility. We can’t say we’re a young team any more, we have to take responsibility as men and hold that on ourselves. That’s not the level we’ve shown in the last six months.”
Lincoln should not trouble Chelsea’s defence too much. But going forward, Chalobah and the rest of the Blues’ backline obviously have to do better in the Premier League.
Their next fixture in the English top flight sees them take on Brighton & Hove Albion at Stamford Bridge.
from Chelsea FC Latest News & Club Updates | The Chelsea Chronicle https://ift.tt/7w5hPRS
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