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Chelsea's manager has indicated that the squad is experiencing the aftermath" of their recent global tournament involvement, with a large number of players missing for the upcoming match against Liverpool.

Present Injury Status

Key attacker Cole Palmer is out with a recurring groin injury, joining the list of lengthy unavailable players that includes Fofana, Liam Delap, Levi Colwill, Andrey Santos, and Tosin Adarabioyo. Moreover, Chalobah is suspended following his red card in the recent defeat to Brighton.

"This is the truth," the coach stated. "Given that PSG and we have so many fitness issues, likely it's some consequences from the Club World Cup. In this moment we have several defenders out, but we're going to attempt to adjust and discover the right answer."

Report Points to Workload Concerns

A newly released report from the global football union the organization showed that Chelsea squad were given three weeks off after winning the competition in the summer, while PSG, the defeated finalists, gave breaks to their team members for over three weeks. The report linked this intense workload to the fitness challenges experienced by both clubs.

Maresca voiced agreement with the study's conclusions and emphasized his faith in the young talent who will step in. Josh Acheampong is expected to make his fourth top-flight start in defense.

Trust in Youth

"It is challenging," he admitted, "however at the same moment we believe in the ones that are available. For sure, when you can change one individual after several matches, it's preferable. The longer you perform alongside with teammates, the relationship grows stronger. Sometimes you don't even need to speak to execute something on the field – they grasp immediately. When you persist to rotate it's increasingly hard."

"Yet I truly trust the young stars. Not just the young players that we purchased but additionally the academy graduates from the youth system. We provided games last year to Acheampong so that demonstrates that I rely on young players."

Conduct Issues Addressed

Regarding disciplinary matters, the manager claimed he is unworried by the team's record of red cards. The squad has received three red cards in their last as many matches, featuring a player's red card in the European win over Benfica.

Since his appointment in mid-2024, Chelsea has the worst disciplinary stats among top-flight clubs, with multiple dismissals in 73 matches – a red card every ten point four matches. Furthermore, they lead the division for cautions under his leadership, with over a hundred cautions.

"I don't see a discipline problem," he remarked. "It's necessary to analyse each incident individually. When it's a red card for malicious intent or for bad discipline, it's different from the United red card or the Brighton sending-off. In those cases, it's simply a decision that you have to take in an instant, three seconds. Should I do a foul or not? It's tough."