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Enzo Maresca has indicated that the squad is facing the " consequences of their previous global tournament campaign, with a large group of players unavailable for the forthcoming match against the Reds.

Current Fitness Status

Key player Cole Palmer is sidelined with a recurring muscle injury, joining the list of lengthy unavailable players that includes Wesley Fofana, Liam Delap, Colwill, Santos, and Adarabioyo. Additionally, Chalobah is suspended following his red card in the recent loss to Brighton.

"This is the truth," the coach stated. "If PSG and we have so many fitness issues, likely it's the consequences from the tournament. In this situation we have four or five backline players out, but we're going to try to adapt and find the best answer."

Report Points to Fixture Concerns

A recent study from the global players' union Fifpro indicated that the club's squad were allowed 20 days off after claiming victory in the competition in the summer, while Paris Saint-Germain, the defeated finalists, gave breaks to their team members for 22 days. The analysis linked this intense workload to the fitness problems faced by the two clubs.

Maresca voiced agreement with the report's findings and stressed his faith in the young players who will step in. The 19-year-old defender is expected to earn his fourth Premier League appearance in defense.

Trust in Young Players

"This is difficult," Maresca admitted, "however at the same time we trust the ones that are available. For sure, when you can change one individual after several games, it's preferable. The more you perform together with teammates, the understanding becomes better. Sometimes you don't even need to talk to do an action on the field – they grasp immediately. When you continue to change it's increasingly difficult."

"But I truly trust the young stars. Not only the youth that we buy but additionally the academy graduates from the youth system. We provided games last year to Acheampong so that demonstrates that I rely on the next generation."

Conduct Issues Addressed

Turning to conduct matters, Maresca claimed he is unworried by Chelsea's history of red cards. The team has been shown three red cards in their last as many matches, including a player's dismissal in the European win over the Portuguese side.

After his arrival in mid-2024, the club has the poorest conduct record among top-flight clubs, with multiple dismissals in 73 games – one every ten point four matches. Furthermore, they top the league for yellow cards under his leadership, with over a hundred bookings.

"I don't see a discipline issue," he remarked. "You have to analyse case by case. When it's a dismissal for bad intention or for bad discipline, it's different compared to the Manchester United red card or the Brighton red card. In those cases, it's just a choice that you have to make in two seconds, a moment. Do I commit foul or not? It's tough."