Chelsea news: Enzo Maresca ‘has no regrets’ as Alejandro Garnacho ‘mistake’ emerges

Enzo Maresca has broken his silence following his red card during Chelsea’s win over Liverpool, while a possible solution for an emerging Enzo Fernandez problem has been offered up

Chelsea are waiting for the return of Premier League action with bated breath after securing a mood-lifting – and potentially momentum-swinging – victory over Liverpool earlier this month. The Blues have struggled for consistency this season, dropping points in four of their opening seven league games and conceding 13 goals in 10 matches across all competitions.

Injuries have taken a heavy toll, with Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, and Liam Delap among the key absentees. Discipline has also been a concern, with Chelsea picking up four red cards in less than a month.

Still, there are plenty of reasons for optimism. Moises Caicedo has started the season in imperious, dominating form, while Brazilian prodigy Estevao is beginning to show flashes of the world-class talent he promises to become, most notably with his head-turning cameo – and last-gasp winner – against Liverpool.

Still, with rhythm in short supply, several key players sidelined, and defensive frailties persisting, Chelsea have plenty to address before their trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Here, Mirror Football runs through the latest Chelsea-related news.

READ MORE: Thomas Tuchel has five nailed-on starters but the clock is ticking for other England starsREAD MORE: Diego Costa issues update after reigniting feud with ex-Liverpool star Martin Skrtel

Maresca: ‘I have no regrets’

Enzo Maresca insists he has no regrets over the red card he received during Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Liverpool. The Italian was sent off in stoppage time after sprinting down the touchline – Jose Mourinho-style – to join the celebrations following Estevao’s dramatic late winner.

Maresca had already been booked in the first half for protesting referee Anthony Taylor’s decision not to award Chelsea a penalty. He then picked up a second yellow for leaving his technical area to join the jubilant celebrations.

As a result, he will watch Chelsea’s clash with Forest from the stands this weekend while serving a one-match suspension. But the former Leicester coach says the moment was worth every second. “It was a huge emotion,” Maresca said at the Trento Sports Festival. “It’s my second season at Chelsea and it was the first time we won at home in the last minute.

“Sending off? Many times football is passion, instinct. I probably didn’t have time to think. It was an instinctive reaction, but I think it was worth it.”

Maresca may not yet have the close bond with Chelsea fans that the likes of Mourinho, Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte once did, but his wild, full-throttle sprint down the touchline has certainly won hearts. Typically, Blues supporters love a manager who wears his heart on his sleeve, and Maresca’s joyous dash felt like the first proper spark of would could be a thrilling love affair between coach and fanbase.

Solution to Fernandez problem

Chelsea’s injury list has been mounting all season, and the international break has done little to ease the problem. Enzo Fernandez, who has been ever-present so far, was forced to withdraw from Argentina duty this weekend due to synovitis in his right knee.

The precautionary withdrawal now casts doubt over Fernandez’s availability for Chelsea’s clash with Nottingham Forest. Fortunately for Maresca, he has a ready-made replacement in Andrey Santos.

The Brazilian, who spent last season on loan at Strasbourg, is one of the most highly-rated young talents in the game, and Fernandez’s absence could be the perfect opportunity for him to kickstart his Chelsea career.

Santos has appeared seven times this season, but only two of those have been starts – and just one in the Premier League, during last month’s defeat to Brighton. He was substituted early as Maresca reshuffled following Trevoh Chalobah’s red card.

The 21-year-old has been sidelined with a knock since that game but returned to full fitness this week, potentially providing the solution to Maresca’s midfield woes. Santos is versatile, capable of playing as a No. 6 or No. 8, and has also been deployed in the No. 10 role.

He scored 11 goals in 34 games in France last season, though is yet to get off the mark for Chelsea. He was linked with loan moves away during the summer, but Maresca was adamant the Brazilian would be staying put, having been impressed with him during pre-season. “First of all, I am very happy with Andrey and the idea that Andrey stays here with us,” Maresca said in August.

“He can play in Enzo Fernandez or Moises Caicedo’s positions for sure. He played one game in the Club World Cup against Palmeiras where he was very good as a No. 6. So he can play in both positions very well.”

Fernandez’s injury, while unfortunate for Chelsea, could be a golden opportunity for Santos to step up. We’ve seen a similar story this season with Estevao: injuries and absences thrust him into a creative role, and that responsibility has helped him flourish.

A consistent run in the team could do the same for Santos, giving him the chance to assert himself and potentially become another Brazilian talent making a mark at Chelsea.

Garnacho verdict

Manchester United icon Teddy Sheringham isn’t sure whether Alejandro Garnacho will be a success at Chelsea and believes his decision to leave Old Trafford was ill-advised. Despite being one of United’s most highly-rated prospects, Garnacho was sold to Chelsea for £40million in the summer following a breakdown in his relationship with manager Ruben Amorim.

Sheringham – who scored 46 goals for the Red Devils, helping the club win three Premier League titles and the Champions League – thinks the youngster would have been better off staying and fighting to regain Amorim’s trust. He also warned that Garnacho may come to regret leaving a club as big as United so readily.

“I think Alejandro Garnacho is a very talented player, but only time will tell whether he’s able to be a success at Chelsea,” the former England striker told Coin Poker. “He made a big move in leaving Manchester United for Chelsea, and it’s not one I would have advised him to make if I were a part of his team.

“When you’re at United you have to try your utmost to make it work. It is the biggest club in the world, so you won’t be leaving for a better club, and the opportunity to come back won’t be there, especially with the manner in which he left and the way the fans have reacted to it.”

Garnacho has had a slow start at Stamford Bridge, failing to register a goal or an assist in his first five appearances. He did, however, show glimpses of promise in the win over Liverpool, just days after playing a key role in Chelsea’s late winner against Benfica.

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