In this video
- Asked whether a protective boot could bring Cole Palmer back sooner, Maresca said they do not know when, but it will be soon. He is already on the pitch touching the ball, and the feeling is good.
- Asked whether Palmer could face Arsenal on Sunday, Maresca said they are here for tomorrow's Champions League game. Pressed on whether it is still possible, he said he does not think so at the moment.
- Asked for more detail on how the injury happened, Maresca said he spoke with Palmer yesterday after the session. The feeling was good again, but he did not ask him about the injury at home.
- Asked about scoring against Barcelona in a Super Cup final as a player, Maresca said it was the easy goal of his life, a 96th-minute penalty at 2-0. Now it is completely different; they are an unbelievable team.
- Asked about Estêvão facing Lamine Yamal amid comparisons, Maresca said he is very young and can do many things better, but they are very happy with him. Watching players like them is the beauty of football, he said.
- Asked about Robert Lewandowski, Maresca said he is a fantastic player who has shown all his life that he scores goals. Barcelona have so many players, he said, but Chelsea also have players who can win the game.
“…he has to enjoy football. He has to be happy…”
- Asked whether the style of Guardiola's Barcelona is going out of fashion, Maresca said he became a manager because of that team, and any team can choose how to play. In his opinion, no one can be compared to them.
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca press ahead of the Champions League clash against Barcelona offering key updates on Cole Palmer’s unexpected freak toe injury sustained while getting up during the night and whether his protective boot could fast-track a return against Arsenal.
Maresca also dives deep into the rising comparisons between young stars Estevão and Lamine Yamal praising both as symbols of football’s new generation.
The Chelsea boss reflects on his own historic goal against Barcelona as a player, touches on Pep Guardiola’s influence on his coaching philosophy, and shares his respect for Robert Lewandowski’s impact.
With Barcelona and Arsenal lined up in a crucial week, Maresca insists on a match-by-match approach while expressing confidence in Chelsea’s growth since their match with Bayern Munich.
