Enzo Maresca has hit back at claims that Chelsea are conceding easy goals as they prepare to take on Panathinaikos in the Conference League on Thursday night.
The Blues slipped to their second defeat of the season against Liverpool last weekend and have conceded ten goals in eight league games so far.
Having conceded a club record number of goals under Mauricio Pochettino in the league last season, it’s an area the Blues must improve in if they want to progress as a team.
Maresca doesn’t think Chelsea are conceding easy goals
Former Chelsea player Pat Nevin believes a lack of top quality at centre back will prevent the Blues from challenging for the Premier League title.
At Anfield the defence did look nervy with Levi Colwill rash in giving away a penalty, whilst Tosin Adarabioyo didn’t have a good game.
Robert Sanchez is a concern in goal and despite Maresca insisting after the Liverpool game he was really happy with the Spaniard, he should have done much better with the winning goal from Curtis Jones.
There’s set to be more changes at the back for the game against Panathinaikos and it’s likely Benoit Badiashile will partner Tosin Adarabioyo as the Blues look for a clean sheet.
However, speaking before the game Maresca has hit back at claims his side are conceding easy goals and told reporters as quoted by Football London.
“I don’t agree we are conceding easy goals. I think we are conceding goals like the rest of the clubs. Tomorrow with a full stadium, hopefully we don’t concede the goals.”
Whilst a number of the goals Chelsea have conceded have come down to individual errors, the Blues have also conceded goals from set pieces, which they could have dealt with much better, and Maresca will be wanting to see a clean sheet on Thursday night.
It’s great to be able to outscore teams and the Blues can do that with the attacking quality they have, but this side needs to learn to win games 1-0 as the attack won’t always be able to bail them out.