Enzo Maresca has confirmed Josh Acheampong wasn’t injured as he explained why the defender didn’t feature against Manchester United.
The Blues slumped to their first Premier League defeat of the season on a miserable afternoon in Manchester, as United ran out 2-1 winners.
It means Chelsea’s wait for a first win at Old Trafford since 2013 continues, and it also leaves them seven points behind leaders Liverpool after just five games.
Enzo Maresca on why Josh Acheampong didn’t play
Maresca named Cole Palmer and Estevao in the same team for the first team this season, whilst Wesley Fofana replaced Tosin Adarabioyo at centre back.
However, there was little time to see what the team could do, with Robert Sanchez sent off after just four minutes for taking out Bryan Mbeumo.
Maresca shuffled the pack and opted for a back five, with both Estevao and Pedro Neto taken off, leaving Chelsea with just two attackers on the pitch, which became one when Cole Palmer went off injured.
Youngster Acheampong didn’t make the match day squad, and hasn’t featured since the opening game of the season against Crystal Palace.
Acheampong had interest from Bournemouth in the summer, but Chelsea were adamant he wasn’t for sale, although it’s unclear where his minutes are coming from.
Maresca was asked after the game about the youngster, and confirmed he wasn’t injured, as he explained why he didn’t feature.
“No, Josh is just because we had Tosin [Adarabioyo], Malo [Gusto] was on the bench also, we had already two defenders, so it was just for that, not for any other reason,” he said as quoted on X.com.
Chelsea must respond against Lincoln
It’s been a bad week for the Blues with the draw to Brentford and defeats to Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
Chelsea have the chance to respond in the Carabao Cup, and can’t afford to suffer an embarrassing exit at the hands of the League One outfit.
Maresca will no doubt make changes, and Chelsea should have more than enough to get the job done, before a huge game against Brighton next weekend.
This maresca messed up everything . His selection making and his tactics . His lucky to win the hush hush tournament but it doesn’t meant his good . In Munich why he didn’t started James as a RB and play in Santos at midfield alongside caceido and Fernandez . In old Trafford why on earth didn’t start tosin that he knows Sesko was dangerous in airaial battle . Santos is ready to play and he doesn’t start him . Guiu was recalled and didn’t start him in both games . This maresca causing this team losing a game . Why on earth he subs Neto if he knows Palmer wasn’t not enough fit . Board should look at the situation of the team , if a manager messing up this talented team through experiment this team ain’t going to win EPL and UCL . This should trusted the group of youngsters to starting to play Acheampong , Santos , Hato plus how I wish he should not loan up Anselmino and even Sarr .this youngsters should starting to play now . Start the game to gain more experience and learn to develop for their progress . Two both game’s of potential of winning but been messed by wrong selection and tactics .
We always focus to win and we don’t need player to gain experience on crucial games, we need prayers with experience for us to perform good since we haven’t won three consecutive games. we lost the game with man united because maresca made a wrong move by submitting our three best attackers at once…it could have been OK if Neto and Palmer could have been given more time to observe the game..
Stupid maresca
Funnily Maresca had Gusto & Tosin on the bench made him to overlook Achempong who’s better if chance were awarded to the boy.
Seems the coach believe not the club upcoming stars.