Breaking News: Chelsea boss Maresca shares plan to deal with suspension issues for Liverpool clash

Both Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana, who received their fifth booking of the year against Nottingham Forest, will serve suspensions for Chelsea’s trip to Liverpool.

Enzo Maresca expressed optimism that Chelsea can manage without Marc Cucurella and Wesley Fofana for their trip to Liverpool, citing his policy of high rotation as justification.

The head coach will have to make changes for the league-leading Anfield encounter after the international break, despite having started the same back four in five of the team’s seven Premier League games thus far. This is because the pair received their fifth bookings of the year during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.

For the second straight game, Chelsea fielded a completely different starting lineup against Forest than the one that defeated Gent in the Conference League last Thursday. Maresca has switched his starting lineup altogether between league and cup matches.

He declared, “We have 25 first-team players.” Every club has roughly that much. It’s not something exclusive to us, in my opinion.”

“We attempt to share minutes with each of them as part of our process. The explanation is that they merit it.”

“There were eleven players who performed exceptionally well against Brighton, but the ones who played (against Gent) did well and probably deserved (to play) again.” We make an effort to make the greatest use of each one.”

“When you have an injury or red card, like now we don’t have Wes and Marc, we are going to use some of the guys that today were not in the first 11.”

Malo Gusto’s thigh injury prevented him from playing in the away victories over Bournemouth and West Ham, making him the only defensive absence in the league thus far.

That means that, outside of Maresca’s preferred back four of Cucurella, Fofana, Gusto, and Levi Colwill, only Axel Disasi and Tosin Adarabioyo have started a league game in defense.

Renato Veiga, a summer acquisition who has shown promise in the Conference League and Carabao Cup, is one option the Italian may consider. Benoit Badiashile is also an option.

Ben Chilwell, who was warned he might leave the team before entering as a substitute in the 5-0 victory against Barrow, is not eligible to play in the Conference League but is part of the 25-man Premier League roster.

Maresca stated that Colwill and Noni Madueke, who are scheduled to play Greece and Finland in the Nations League alongside Lee Carsley’s England team, should be fine after both players appeared to be nursing injuries as they left the field against Forest.

He responded, “They are both OK.” “We will see, but I don’t think there is any problem with them.”

After seven games, Chelsea is ranked fourth in the division and has scored 16 goals, second only to Manchester City.

Maresca continued: “When we started the season, some of us or in general you think by the second international break you are fourth and the team is playing in the way we are playing, learning to play different kinds of games, for sure it’s something I am very happy.”

“It’s crucial—seven games, 14 points. However, I think it’s also crucial to observe how we scored 14 points.”

“It has involved a variety of approaches and game types, including away, home, and challenging teams that attempt to be aggressive as well as a side like Forest that plays it safe. You employ various armaments.”