Enzo Maresca has revealed he will use the international break to work on solutions for the Liverpool game with Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana both suspended for the trip to Anfield.
Chelsea’s five game winning streak in all competitions came to an end as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues went behind early in the second half, but Noni Madueke hit back before the hour mark, and in a crazy end to the game either side could have won it with Robert Sanchez and Matz Sels making brilliant saves to keep the scores level.
Maresca on Cucurella and Fofana being suspended
It was a frustrating afternoon for Maresca’s men who have struggled against this type of opposition before, but the Blues created plenty of opportunities to win the game.
Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku wasted two brilliant chances late on and overall Chelsea played pretty well it just wasn’t their day.
The Blues still sit fourth and have only lost one of their first seven league games in what has been a positive start to the campaign.
The fixtures get tougher after the international break and Maresca takes his men to Anfield straight after the break and will have to do so without two of his first choice back four.
Both Cucurella and Fofana picked up their fifth bookings of the season and will therefore miss the game, meaning Maresca will have to make changes.
Speaking after the game the Italian admitted he would use the international break to work on solutions for the backline.
“I know. But now we have the international break, time to see how we can organise,” he told reporters as cited on X.com.
“The good news is they are all ready.”
Chelsea will be hoping they don’t pick up any injuries during the break and Reece James is also likely to get closer to a return action as well, although the club aren’t in a rush to get him back on the pitch.
