Chelsea Defeats Morecambe in FA Cup Match

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca addressed the substitutions of Reece James and Romeo Lavia during their 5-0 FA Cup victory over Morecambe, stating that both players were taken off at half-time as a precaution to manage their return from hamstring injuries. Maresca emphasized the importance of gradually building their fitness, particularly for James, who had been sidelined since November. Additionally, winger Noni Madueke missed the match due to illness, which Maresca clarified was not related to any past disciplinary issues. Chelsea's win marked a confident step towards their pursuit of silverware this season, with Maresca highlighting the importance of treating all competitions with equal seriousness. The team is aiming to improve after recent setbacks, including losses in the Carabao Cup and earlier FA Cup finals. The manager expressed optimism about helping his players regain optimal condition moving forward.