“In the last two games, he didn't play” - Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca opens up on reason dropping summer signing Jadon Sancho 

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has explained his decision to drop Jadon Sancho from the lineup for the Blues' last few games. The Italian manager claimed that players 'can't maintain the same level' throughout the campaign due to the cramped schedule that they have to deal with.

Chelsea are currently involved in three competitions - the Premier League, the EFL Cup, and the UEFA Europa Conference League. With their FA Cup campaign set to begin in January 2025, a deep run in all competitions could potentially see them play more than 55 games in the 2024-25 season.

The Blues have a deep squad, which enables Maresca to rotate his side effectively and keep all the players fresh, fit and rearing to go whenever called upon. The 44-year-old claimed that dropping Sancho was purely a 'tactical decision', with no injuries or behind-the-scenes problems involved.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday (October 29), Maresca said (via GOAL):

"Jadon has done well since he arrived with us. For sure, players can’t maintain the same level the whole season because the amount of games is huge. So, in the last two games, he didn't play, not for any different reason, just for a technical decision, a tactical decision. No more than that."

"For sure, because of the amount of games, he's going to play many games. The only thing he has to do is continue to work hard and when we give him a chance, to just take it," Maresca added.

Jadon Sancho, who is on loan at Chelsea from Manchester United, has bagged three assists in five EPL appearances for the Blues this season.

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"The target was to build something important" - Enzo Maresca makes claim about Chelsea's project

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has claimed that the club's hierarchy never mentioned anything about finishing in the top four in the 2024-25 EPL season. The Italian insisted that the Blues' vision is to build something concrete and stable over the next few years in order to set the foundation for the future.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Londoners' EFL Cup Round of 16 clash against Newcastle United, Maresca said (via Eurosport):

"The club never mentioned to me about top four. They always mentioned to me the target was to build something important for the next four or five years. For sure, we work every day to reach something important."

The Italian tactician added that there is no pressure on the players, and that they just have to live and play in the moment without worrying about future outcomes. He said:

"Pressure on the players? I don't think so, to be honest. If you go game by game, you can see yourself where you are in that moment. If you start to think about the top four or top six, you are thinking about June and – for me – it's too far."

Chelsea will next take on Newcastle United in the Round of 16 of the EFL Cup on Wednesday, October 30.