Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has opened up about the challenge of fitting all of his top attacking players into the team, admitting that he feels “ashamed” by his inability to include all of them in the starting lineup. Despite a strong start to his tenure at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea are currently sitting fourth in the Premier League after securing five wins from their opening ten games, Maresca is still grappling with how to strike the right balance in his squad, particularly with his expensive attacking signings.
Joao Felix, who joined Chelsea permanently in the summer after a loan spell from Atletico Madrid, has only made five Premier League appearances so far this season. Maresca has spoken about how he would like to give Felix more playing time, but he faces the difficult task of maintaining a solid defensive structure. With other attacking players like Cole Palmer and Christopher Nkunku also vying for spots, Maresca is finding it tough to get all of them into the team at once. The Italian coach acknowledged that he has to prioritize defensive balance, which has led him to leave these players out of the starting XI at times.
In addition to Felix, Nkunku, another big-money summer signing from RB Leipzig, has also found himself on the sidelines. Nkunku has started only one Premier League match this season and has been limited to cup competitions. Maresca has praised Nkunku’s contributions, noting that the player has scored eight goals this season, with the majority coming in the Carabao Cup and other domestic cup fixtures. The forward was one of Chelsea’s standout performers during pre-season, and Maresca expressed his belief that Nkunku will play an important role for the team as the season progresses.
The key issue for Maresca is how to incorporate these attacking players into a cohesive system. He explained that although he would love to start Felix, Palmer, and Nkunku together, he cannot afford to neglect the defensive side of the game. Playing all three at once could potentially weaken Chelsea’s defensive balance, a crucial aspect of the team’s strategy. Maresca said, “I feel a shame for Joao and I would like to give him more minutes in the Premier League, but we need defensive balance and we cannot play with Joao, Cole, Christo [Nkunku].” He emphasized the need for a well-rounded approach, where attacking players like Felix, Nkunku, and Palmer must adapt to different roles and positions to make the system work.
Despite these challenges, Maresca remains confident that the players in question will eventually get their chance. He pointed out that players like Felix and Nkunku have been training well and are in the right mindset to contribute when called upon. Maresca also expressed his belief that Felix will find his moment in the Premier League if he continues to work hard and remain patient. “I don’t have any doubts that if Joao keeps working well, he will find his moment in the Premier League,” he said.
Nkunku, who has struggled with injuries in the past, particularly last season after his big-money move from RB Leipzig, is also being carefully managed. Although Maresca has used him in various positions, including as a central striker, it’s clear that Nkunku’s best role is likely as a second striker or attacking midfielder. Maresca has said that Nkunku is more comfortable “between the lines” rather than as a traditional number nine, but for now, the manager is trying to find ways to accommodate him in a system that requires versatility.
Maresca is not only working with Felix and Nkunku but also with other attacking talents like Mykhailo Mudryk, who has also been on the fringes of the starting XI. Mudryk, along with other talented players, is still waiting for more opportunities in the Premier League. Maresca recognizes that these players deserve more chances to showcase their skills but also understands the need to manage the team’s overall balance. “There are also more players who deserve that,” he said, acknowledging the depth of talent at his disposal.
As Chelsea prepare for their next match against Noah in the Europa Conference League and a crucial Premier League clash with Arsenal, Maresca faces the challenge of getting the best out of his squad while ensuring that defensive solidity is not compromised. It’s clear that he is committed to finding solutions that will allow his attacking players to thrive, but he also understands that patience and adaptability will be key for everyone involved. With a full season ahead, Maresca will need to navigate these challenges carefully to ensure Chelsea remain competitive across all competitions.
