Football
Enzo Maresca must take blame after Chelsea gamble backfires to extend miserable away run
Enzo Maresca cited Chelsea’s Thursday–Sunday–Thursday schedule, players returning from injury and his “game plan” all as reasons why he made five changes from the team which beat Tottenham on Thursday night, but whatever his justifications before this goalless draw with Brentford, it undeniably proved a gamble that backfired.
Chelsea are now eight away games without a win in the Premier League, and a 0-0 draw at the Gtech Community Stadium marks a costly two points dropped in their race to finish in the Champions League places.
The sight of Palmer and Jackson deep in conversation while warming up in the 44th minute said it all, and no doubt they were both discussing how desperate they were to enter the fray. Chelsea had looked disjointed and one-paced in that first half, Robert Sanchez playing short to Nkunku but the striker never coming to receive.
.jpeg?width=1200&auto=webp&quality=75&w=400&resize=400,240&ssl=1 "Chelsea injury update: Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana and Marc Guiu latest return dates")
.jpeg?width=1200&auto=webp&quality=75&w=80&resize=80,80&ssl=1 "Chelsea injury update: Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana and Marc Guiu latest return dates")
