Chelsea's Maresca Plans Player Protection Amid Tactical Challenges After Sunderland Defeat

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has acknowledged the challenges his team faces in preparing for opponents using five-man defenses, as seen in their recent loss to Sunderland, where a last-minute goal ended their winning streak. Maresca revealed that Sunderland's unexpected tactical switch disrupted Chelsea's game plan, highlighting the difficulty of adapting to such changes during a match. In response to the demands of competing on multiple fronts this season, Maresca emphasized the necessity of rotating his squad to protect players from fatigue and injury, especially with key players like Liam Delap returning from a hamstring injury. Delap has resumed full training and is available for selection, though Maresca indicated he would be gradually reintegrated to avoid overexertion. The manager also mentioned the need to safeguard other important players such as Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, and Joao Pedro, who have various injury concerns. Despite recent setbacks, Maresca remains focused on building consistency and believes rotation is essential for Chelsea to sustain their performance across competitions.