Enzo Maresca spoke on Saturday.
Chelsea takes on Newcastle United.
The visitors sit fourth in the Premier League, currently eight places above United.
However, if Newcastle United win on Saturday, they will move to just three points behind Chelsea.
Last season Enzo Maresca suffered a 2-0 defeat at St James’ Park.
That victory in their penultimate home game of the 2024/25 season effectively earned Newcastle United their Champions League spot.
In all competitions, Eddie Howe’s side have won eight of their last nine games at St James’ Park, with only nine denied in a row by Spurs’ late equalizer.
Enzo Maresca has no doubts about the challenge of St James’ Park; “It’s always difficult for me to play there, day and night.”
Chelsea boss praises Eddie Howe and his players; “Newcastle are a very good team and their manager is fantastic, he [Eddie Howe] has been doing fantastic work for years.”
Enzo Maresca singled out Newcastle United’s midfield for special praise; “Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Lewis Miley too, they are all fantastic players, international players. They complement each other. They are physically strong, good on the ball, they are one hundred percent complete, perfect. It is not difficult for any team to play against them…”
Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali should hopefully play next to each other in midfield against Chelsea. However, Eddie Howe says Joelinton has a groin problem and has therefore been an unused sub for the last two games, to be used only in emergencies. So Joelinton is unlikely to start, while Lewis Miley looks set to continue at right-back with Tino Livramento added to the injury list.
Enzo Maresca said after Chelsea’s win over Cardiff in midweek that Estevao will miss the match against Newcastle United. Today the Chelsea boss also rules out Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill for this match in Newcastle.
Enzo Maresca has now been linked with becoming Pep Guardiola’s successor at Manchester City and the Chelsea boss asked if he will still be at Stamford Bridge next season; “Absolutely, yes. I have a contract until 2029 and it is just speculation, one hundred percent. I have nothing to add and I am not paying attention. My focus is only on Chelsea and I am proud to be here… This match against Newcastle is important and very difficult.”
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