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Enzo Maresca has indicated that his team is experiencing the aftermath" of their recent Club World Cup campaign, with a large group of squad members missing for the forthcoming match against Liverpool.

Current Fitness Situation

Important attacker the young star is sidelined with a recurring muscle injury, joining the list of long-term unavailable players that includes Wesley Fofana, Delap, Colwill, Santos, and Adarabioyo. Additionally, Chalobah is suspended following his dismissal in the recent loss to the Seagulls.

"This is the truth," the coach commented. "Given that PSG and we have a high number of injuries, likely it's the result from the tournament. In this moment we have four or five backline players out, but we're going to try to adjust and discover the best answer."

Study Highlights Fixture Concerns

A newly released study from the worldwide players' union Fifpro indicated that the club's players were given 20 days off after winning the competition in July, while PSG, the defeated finalists, gave breaks to their team members for 22 days. The report linked this high workload to the injury challenges experienced by both clubs.

Maresca voiced alignment with the study's conclusions and stressed his confidence in the young talent who will step in. The 19-year-old defender is likely to earn his fourth top-flight start in the backline.

Belief in Youth

"This is challenging," Maresca conceded, "but at the same time we trust the players that are here. 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 grows better. Sometimes you don't have to talk to execute something on the pitch – they understand immediately. When you persist to rotate it's more difficult."

"Yet I really have faith in the emerging players. Not just the young players that we purchased but also the academy graduates from the academy. We provided games last year to Josh so that demonstrates that I trust the next generation."

Disciplinary Record Discussed

Regarding conduct concerns, Maresca stated he is not concerned by the team's history of red cards. The team has been shown multiple red cards in their previous as many matches, including João Pedro's red card in the European victory over the Portuguese side.

After Maresca appointment in mid-2024, Chelsea has the poorest disciplinary stats among top-flight teams, with seven red cards in seventy-three games – a red card every ten point four matches. Furthermore, they top the league for yellow cards under his tenure, with 114 cautions.

"I don't see a conduct problem," Maresca said. "You have to analyse each incident individually. When it's a dismissal for malicious intent or for bad discipline, it's distinct from the Manchester United red card or the Brighton red card. In those case, it's simply a choice that you have to take in two seconds, three seconds. Should I do foul or not? It's difficult."