Enzo Maresca cancels Chelsea team’s day off after suffering training ground humiliation
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca scrapped a planned rest day for his senior squad after they suffered a shock 3-0 loss to the club’s under-21 side in training. Frustrated by the performance, Maresca made the call to cancel Thursday’s scheduled day off, which was planned due to the international break. Maresca cancelled a day off for his players after poor performances in trainingGetty Cole Palmer hasn’t scored since January for the BluesGetty Despite the match being a short drill rather than a full 90-minute contest, the younger squad – who were bolstered by some under-16 players – dominated, with 19-year-old Donnell McNeilly scoring twice. With Chelsea aiming for a top-five Premier League finish and still competing in the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup, Maresca’s decision is a firm reminder of his high standards. This isn’t the first time he’s taken a hard stance on training either, with Noni Madueke previously being left out of matches for failing to impress in training. On a more positive note for Chelsea, they received an injury boost on Friday as both Cole Palmer and Madueke returned to training. Palmer, who missed the Arsenal game and withdrew from England duty with a muscle issue, has been cleared to resume playing. It has been a mixed season for Palmer, despite opening the campaign strongly, he has been on a X-match drought without scoring or assisting. He has still scored an impressive 14 goals and registered six assists in what has been considered a mixed season for the England international and he remains Chelsea’s top scorer in the league. Palmer is without a goal since January 14th in a 2-2 draw at home with Bournemouth. Another injury boost is Madueke, who has been sidelined since February with a hamstring injury. Madueke also took part in training, with sources indicating that Friday’s session better met Maresca’s expectations. Maresca was said to be left ‘fuming’ by his senior side’s performanceGetty It comes as Chelsea have been suffering from a slump in form of late, with recent defeats to Arsenal, Aston Villa and Brighton in the top-flight. Their only victories in recent weeks have come against Leicester and Southampton. Whilst they remain fourth in the league, they will need to maintain their current spot if they want to secure Champions League football come the end of the season. However, with two English clubs remaining in the quarter-finals at the moment, it looks likely that the Premier League will be granted an extra place in the co-efficient next year. Chelsea have a home clash with London rivals Tottenham on Thursday evening before another derby with Brentford three days later. Maresca’s side also have a Europa Conference League quarter-final with Legia Warszawa coming up across two legs as they bid for some silverware. Real Betis and Fiorentina remain Chelsea’s biggest competition, but Maresca should hope to capitalise on his top-flight squad.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca scrapped a planned rest day for his senior squad after they suffered a shock 3-0 loss to the club’s under-21 side in training.
Frustrated by the performance, Maresca made the call to cancel Thursday’s scheduled day off, which was planned due to the international break.
Despite the match being a short drill rather than a full 90-minute contest, the younger squad – who were bolstered by some under-16 players – dominated, with 19-year-old Donnell McNeilly scoring twice.
With Chelsea aiming for a top-five Premier League finish and still competing in the Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup, Maresca’s decision is a firm reminder of his high standards.
This isn’t the first time he’s taken a hard stance on training either, with Noni Madueke previously being left out of matches for failing to impress in training.
On a more positive note for Chelsea, they received an injury boost on Friday as both Cole Palmer and Madueke returned to training.
Palmer, who missed the Arsenal game and withdrew from England duty with a muscle issue, has been cleared to resume playing.
It has been a mixed season for Palmer, despite opening the campaign strongly, he has been on a X-match drought without scoring or assisting.
He has still scored an impressive 14 goals and registered six assists in what has been considered a mixed season for the England international and he remains Chelsea’s top scorer in the league.
Palmer is without a goal since January 14th in a 2-2 draw at home with Bournemouth.
Another injury boost is Madueke, who has been sidelined since February with a hamstring injury.
Madueke also took part in training, with sources indicating that Friday’s session better met Maresca’s expectations.
It comes as Chelsea have been suffering from a slump in form of late, with recent defeats to Arsenal, Aston Villa and Brighton in the top-flight.
Their only victories in recent weeks have come against Leicester and Southampton.
Whilst they remain fourth in the league, they will need to maintain their current spot if they want to secure Champions League football come the end of the season.
However, with two English clubs remaining in the quarter-finals at the moment, it looks likely that the Premier League will be granted an extra place in the co-efficient next year.
Chelsea have a home clash with London rivals Tottenham on Thursday evening before another derby with Brentford three days later.
Maresca’s side also have a Europa Conference League quarter-final with Legia Warszawa coming up across two legs as they bid for some silverware.
Real Betis and Fiorentina remain Chelsea’s biggest competition, but Maresca should hope to capitalise on his top-flight squad.
