“I would like to put all of them” - Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca opens up on combining Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson in attack

Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca has discussed the possibility of playing his side's two top scorers together this season after their EFL Cup win over Barrow. The Blues outclassed their League Two opposition 5-0, with Christopher Nkunku scoring a hat-trick for the side.

Maresca made 11 changes to his starting XI to face Barrow at Stamford Bridge but still had the likes of Nkunku, Joao Felix and Pedro Neto taking the field. The former Leicester City boss left Cole Palmer, Jackson, Noni Madueke, Jadon Sancho, and a host of other stars out of the squad for the cup tie.

All of Chelsea's starting attackers registered at least a goal contribution in the game as they won without any fuss. Enzo Maresca was asked about the possibility of trying combinations involving both Jackson and Nkunku, and he responded that balance matters to him.

He said (via @Blue_Footy on X):

"The problem is the defensive balance, because we can think of playing with Nicolas, Christo, Joao, Palmer Noni, fantastic but then who is defending? Me and you? We need to run back.

"The problem is, I would like to put all of them, because I really like football and I really like to keep the ball. The problem is that when you lose the ball and then you have to defend, not all of them can defend at the same level."

Christopher Nkunku took his tally for the season to six goals, becoming the first Chelsea player to score in all competitions this term. He had previously scored against Servette in the UEFA Europa Conference League playoffs.

Nicolas Jackson, like Nkunku, has been in fine form to start the season, particularly in the Premier League. The Senegalese striker, who was just rewarded with a contract extension, has four goals and two assists in five league appearances this season.

Chelsea signed Pedro Neto, Jadon Sancho and Joao Felix this summer, as well as teenager Marc Guiu, in attack.

Five-star Chelsea batter Barrow in Carabao Cup

Chelsea picked up a routine win against League Two outfit Barrow, putting five goals past their opponents in their cup meeting. Enzo Maresca's side eased through the third-round tie.

Christopher Nkunku opened the scoring following a scooped pass from Joao Felix after just eight minutes, before elegantly flicking home a second seven minutes later. Felix struck the woodwork from a free-kick and saw the ball deflect off the goalkeeper after 28 minutes for their third.

Pedro Neto scored his first goal in Blue as he finished off a lightning-quick counter-attack just two minutes into the second half. Nkunku robbed the goalkeeper before slotting the ball into an empty net in the 75th minute to complete the scoring on the night.