Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has dropped a bombshell on his squad’s fitness ahead of Wednesday’s EFL Cup showdown with Wolverhampton Wanderers, confirming that key midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, along with forward Joao Pedro, are battling injuries that limit their training between matches.
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The Blues are licking their wounds after a shocking 2-1 home defeat to newly-promoted Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday, a result that has left them languishing in ninth place with just 14 points from their opening games. Maresca, desperate for a bounce-back, faces a selection headache as he eyes cup progression—but with Champions League qualification the real priority, expect rotation.
Speaking to reporters, the Italian manager laid bare the injury woes plaguing his engine room: “I think Joao [Pedro] is not training every day because he’s managing a little bit himself from the injury problem. [Caicedo] is exactly the same, Enzo [Fernandez] is exactly the same. We have four or five players that unfortunately, because of some problems, they cannot work every day and they try to make the effort to play the game.”
The Blues are already without influential centre-back Levi Colwill for the rest of the season, piling pressure on a defence that crumbled after taking an early lead against Sunderland.
Who Should Maresca Start Against Wolves?
With the EFL Cup taking a backseat to the Premier League scrap, Maresca has licence to shuffle the pack and give his walking wounded time to heal. Here’s how the lineup could shake up:
- Midfield Makeover: Romeo Lavia, bizarrely benched against Sunderland, demands a start. Pairing him with one of Caicedo or Fernandez allows the other to rest. If Maresca goes full rotation on both South Americans, Andrey Santos could slot in alongside Lavia for a fresh-legged pivot.
- Attack Options: Joao Pedro’s absence opens the door for exciting winger Estevao Willian. The young Brazilian could thrive centrally, testing his adaptability in a more advanced role.
| Position | Suggested Starter | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Midfield | Romeo Lavia | Fresh legs after bench role; protects injured stars |
| Midfield (Alt) | Andrey Santos | Rotation option if double rest for Caicedo/Fernandez |
| Forward | Estevao Willian | Replaces Pedro; chance to shine centrally |
Sack Talk: Is Maresca on the Hot Seat?
Chelsea’s post-Todd Boehly spending spree— the biggest in Premier League history—comes with sky-high expectations. Eighth behind leaders Arsenal already, and with finishes of 12th, sixth, and fourth in the three full seasons under the new ownership, patience is wearing thin.
Losing at home to Sunderland after going ahead? Unacceptable, injuries or not. The squad’s quality remains elite. Maresca isn’t getting the boot yet—but Wednesday’s cup clash is gut-check time. Fail to deliver, and Stamford Bridge could turn hostile fast. Results must improve, or the Blues’ boss will be out on his ear.