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Enzo Maresca has suggested that his team is experiencing the aftermath" of their previous global tournament involvement, with a large number of players missing for the forthcoming fixture against the Reds.

Current Injury Status

Important attacker Cole Palmer is sidelined with a recurring groin problem, joining the list of lengthy absentees that includes Wesley Fofana, Delap, Colwill, Santos, and Adarabioyo. Moreover, Trevoh Chalobah is suspended following his dismissal in the last defeat to Brighton.

"It's the truth," Maresca commented. "Given that PSG and Chelsea have so many fitness issues, likely it's some consequences from the tournament. In this situation we have several defenders out, but we're going to try to adapt and discover the right solution."

Report Points to Workload Concerns

A newly released study from the global players' union Fifpro indicated that the club's squad were given three weeks off after claiming victory in the competition in the summer, while Paris Saint-Germain, the beaten runners-up, rested their team members for over three weeks. The report connected this high workload to the injury challenges experienced by both teams.

The Italian manager expressed agreement with the report's conclusions and stressed his faith in the youthful players who will fill the gaps. The 19-year-old defender is expected to make his fourth top-flight start in the backline.

Trust in Youth

"This is challenging," Maresca conceded, "however at the same time we trust the ones that are available. For sure, when you can rotate one individual after four or five matches, it's better. The more you play together with teammates, the understanding becomes better. Sometimes you don't even need to talk to execute an action on the pitch – they grasp instantly. When you continue to rotate it's more difficult."

"Yet I really trust the emerging players. Not just the young players that we buy but additionally the young players from the youth system. We gave games last season to Josh so that demonstrates that I trust young players."

Conduct Record Addressed

Turning to disciplinary concerns, Maresca stated he is unworried by Chelsea's record of dismissals. The squad has received three send-offs in their last as many games, including a player's red card in the European victory over Benfica.

Since his appointment in mid-2024, the club has the worst conduct record among Premier League teams, with multiple red cards in seventy-three games – one every ten point four matches. Furthermore, they lead the division for cautions under his leadership, with 114 bookings.

"There is any discipline issue," he remarked. "It's necessary to analyse each incident individually. When it's a dismissal for malicious intent or for bad discipline, it's different compared to the United red card or the Seagulls sending-off. In those case, it's just a choice that you have to make in an instant, a moment. Do I do foul or not? It's tough."