"Finally this thug is benched", "Thank you Maresca" - Fans react as Chelsea star left out of XI for Liverpool clash
Fans have taken to social media to react as Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was left out of the starting lineup to face Liverpool. The Blues are at Anfield, where they have been invited for their Premier League clash today (October 20) by the Reds.
This is their first face-off of the season, with both sides prepared to find out how well they can play against a strong team. Liverpool currently sit in first place, leading the pack with a game in hand over others like Manchester City and Arsenal. However, City could leapfrog them if they win their ongoing match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux Stadium.
Chelsea are currently in sixth place with 14 points, and if they are able to beat the Reds, they can overtake teams like Aston Villa (4th) and Brighton & Hove Albion (5th). They could potentially end this gameweek in third place by overtaking Arsenal on goal difference (7). However, it will require a hard-fought tie against the league leaders, and they will have to do so without Enzo Fernandez.
The 23-year-old World Cup winner has been a regular member of their starting lineup this season, starting the six Premier League games he has appeared in so far. However, with Fernandez yet to provide the Blues with either a goal or an assist in the league this season, manager Enzo Maresca has opted for other alternatives.
Chelsea will face Liverpool with a midfield duo of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia instead, and fans are pleased about this change in personnel. They took to social media platform X to share their delight with posts like these:
"FINALLY THIS THUG ENZO IS BENCHED" a fan was pleased.
"Enzo Maresca don bench ehn namesake keh 😂😂😂 "He is the most important player in Maresca's system" Big game come, Dem slam 105m for bench 😭" another fan mocked.
"Enzo dropped maresca I have so much respect man," a fan said.
"We will play better without Enzo," another promised.
"My heart is filled with joy. It’s always been clear Enzo can’t be in our first team when Lavia’s fit. Thank you oh Maresca! 😍" this fan was delighted.
Enzo Maresca discusses his start to life as Chelsea boss ahead of Liverpool clash
Enzo Maresca has opened up about his impressive start to life at the helm of affairs at Stamford Bridge. The manager joined up with the Blues at the beginning of the season and has led them to four wins in seven games, with 16 goals scored.
Speaking ahead of the clash against Liverpool, he shared his delight in how his time as Chelsea boss has taken off, telling the press (via football.london):
"Very happy because what I expected in terms of players, level and style, I can see clearly that is there... The club is one of the best clubs in the world and I am very excited and very lucky to share my time with this squad. I am very happy."
Enzo Maresca has risen through the ranks to reach the Stamford Bridge dugout. He notably won the Premier League 2 title with Manchester City's youth setup in 2021, before managing Parma in Italy. He returned to the Etihad Stadium to work under Pep Guardiola as an assistant manager in 2022.
In 2023, he joined Leicester City and led the Foxes' return from the Championship to the Premier League last season. This impressed the Chelsea hierarchy, leading to his appointment at the Bridge this season.