When Inzu Maresca’s main squad was announced on Sunday before Chelsea’s trip to Brentford, there was a surprising feeling among many Blues fans across social media.
And, after a goalless draw in Brentford extended their immune system away from the pitch to eight games to leave their Champions League hopes in balance, questions about the selection of the team grew louder.
Maresca Nicholas Jackson, Cole Palmer, Mark Cocorella and Pedro have a renowned vacation against their rivals in western London. In Hat Malo Gusto, Kirnan Deusbery-Hool, Christopher Nkunku and Nony Maduke, all of whom were fighting to make an impact.
All four Chelsea’s rest in the second half came to the pitch and the Blues left only six shots, one on the target before the interval for 17 shots, four and four.
The Chelsea coach also faced criticism from part of the remote end, which showed more frustrated in his way of playing, between the anthem “Attack, attack, attack” and “We had a wast” in the first half.
The biggest concern is that although Chelsea are fourth, but the fight for the Champions League is increasing, with Manchester City, Aston Villa and Newcastle all on three points at the Blues.
Maresca quickly defended the squad for the quarter-finals of the conference against Legia Warsaw on Thursday, with players like Palmer and Jackson just returned from injuries.
The Italian also accused the rapid turn of the national team, claiming that the Blues was 24 hours less than Brentford to prepare for the game, which played at home on Thursday.
“They were not all 100 percent,” he said. “The idea was to start with one path and finish another way. The plan was close to working because we made more in the second half, but the size may not have been enough to win the game.
“This is a different opinion. I’m here to try to do the best for the club and the players,” he said.
“I’m working with the players every day to see what it’s like. I’m sure whether English Spurs is more difficult at home than Brentford. They’re all complicated for me.