Chelsea's Maresca Urges Patience as Key Signings Face Scrutiny

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has defended Joao Pedro amid his recent goal drought, emphasizing that the Brazilian striker, who is not fully fit, should not be expected to score like prolific forwards such as Haaland or Lewandowski. Despite Pedro's lack of goals in recent matches, Maresca remains confident in his abilities and highlights the need for multiple attackers to contribute goals, underlining Pedro's different style as a number nine. Meanwhile, Maresca has also commented on Pedro Neto, praising his work ethic but urging him to maintain consistent effort to thrive in the Premier League. Chelsea's recent struggles with consistency and injuries have impacted selection stability, but Maresca continues to manage his squad carefully, including resting some players in the Carabao Cup. Additionally, Alejandro Garnacho, a recent Chelsea signing, has faced criticism from Oscar Ruggeri and others for being 'full of himself,' though Maresca is pleased with his progress and expects more development. Overall, Maresca's approach balances defending his players while demanding higher standards to achieve Chelsea's ambitions, including targeting the Carabao Cup alongside other trophies.