Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea will face Tottenham this Sunday, with the manager confirming Robert Sanchez as the only guaranteed starter.
Chelsea’s 5-1 thrashing of Southampton on Wednesday showcased their attacking prowess, with goals from Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, and Jadon Sancho piling misery on the Premier League’s bottom side.
Filip Jorgensen, stepping in for Sanchez, impressed in his first Premier League start. Maresca also rotated the squad, benching regulars like Nicolas Jackson, Levi Colwill, and Pedro Neto. However, when asked if Jorgensen might retain his spot for Sunday, Maresca was clear:
“That day we are going to play Sanchez and 10 players. The only one that is sure is Sanchez,” he said.
Despite Chelsea’s attacking masterclass—taking their league tally to 31 goals in 14 games—Maresca found room for improvement.
“I’m very happy with the five we scored, but I’m not happy about the first 10 or 15 minutes when we struggled,” Maresca admitted. “We prepared to press them man-to-man, but for those 15 minutes, we weren’t doing that, and it showed.”
The Italian noted adjustments improved the game: “After we corrected it, things were much better. We could’ve scored more, but five goals are enough.”
Sitting second in the table with only two losses in 14 matches, Maresca’s team is exceeding expectations. Reflecting on their strong form, he added:
“The results help a lot and calm down the noise around the club. It’s great to see the fans happy after the last two years. The mood is much better now.”
Chelsea will look to carry this momentum into their clash with a formidable Tottenham side, aiming to solidify their position at the top of the Premier League.