Chelsea’s team sheets always cause some controversy, as fans are never going to be on the same page as the manager with these sorts of decisions.
However the Club World Cup has brought some really specific issues to the fore, the greatest of which is the absence of Andrey Santos, who fans were desperate to see at this tournament, from the lineup in all 3 games so far.
Enzo Maresca explains limited minutes for new players
Enzo Maresca addressed this in his post match press conference last night, comparing Santos’ readiness with Liam Delap’s.
“Against Flamengo, [Delap] had three clear chances to score goals. That is already a good feeling because it means he is in the right position and is there,” Maresca said of his newly signed striker.
“We have no doubt Liam will score goals for us. No doubt about that. We expected the [adaptation] process to be quick with Liam. The reason why is because we know him and he knows us with the way we play.”
This was contrasted with the 3 other players who have joined the first team squad for this tournament. All 3 came on as subs last night, and none of them have yet started a game in the USA:
“For Dário [Essugo], Andrey [Santos] or Mamadou [Sarr] it is going to be a little bit more complicated and they need time because they don’t know exactly how we play. [But] for Liam, the process can be quite quick, and he is a really good player.”
Santos could benefit from minutes even before he’s ready
There is some logic to what he says, but when you’re talking about a player as good as Santos, and opposition as limited as Tunis, is there really any need to have the Brazilian at 100% to play him? Surely getting him in the team is the best way for him to learn on the job.
SuperFrank is such a hypocrite. It’s not a full day unless he’s invented a new reason to criticize Enzo Maresca. Normally he’s after him for too much squad rotation, but now he’s on about giving guys (who’ve been with the squad for days—not weeks) too little playing time, lol! SuperFrank, you do realize this is a competition we’re trying to win, right? And it’s not just for the prestige or even the trophy—it’s real cash (cash that can be used to fund the transfers you’re always griping about). So, it’s more than a little preposterous (not to mention) tiresome to hear such petty criticisms leveled at the manager.
The guys who should be playing are the ones who can help us win. There will still be plenty of time in pre-season for the new arrivals to bed in and there’s zero reason to be whining and moaning at this point.