"There is not one reason in the world to lose confidence in him" - Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca shuts down rumors of frustration with 23-year-old star
Enzo Maresca has dismissed suggestions that he is frustrated with Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez. The manager insisted that he still trusts the 23-year-old midfielder, and the reason for him not starting in the league is just because of his decisions.
Speaking to the media ahead of their match against Manchester United on Sunday (November 3), Maresca claimed that he has no reason to lose trust in Fernandez. The Chelsea manager added that he shows the same frustration on all his players at the club (via Football London):
"I showed frustration with Enzo? I show frustration with all of them. Don't only look at Enzo. I still trust Enzo; there is not one reason in the world to lose confidence in him. The reason why he is not playing in the Premier League is because in this moment, I take different decisions. But my confidence is 100% with Enzo."
Enzo Fernandez was named the captain earlier this season when Reece James was unavailable. However, he has now been reduced to a bench role in the league but captains the side in the Cup competitions.
Enzo Maresca not looking at Chelsea having two starting XIs
Enzo Maresca has once again insisted that he has not divided the Chelsea squad into two starting XIs. He believes that they have good enough players for all positions and wants to give everyone a chance to prove their worth.
He said (via the aforementioned publication):
"I like to say that we have, as I said, we don't have an 'A team' or 'B team'. There are players that are fantastic players but for me, we don't have indispensable players. If Cole, for whatever reason, is not playing, then we have Joao [Felix]. If Nico [Jackson] is not playing, we have Christo [Nkunku]."
"The reason we change players is because we think all the players are good. Some of them, for sure, are better than the rest but it doesn't mean they are always going to play. In this moment, I know you are looking for some different reasons for Enzo. But for Enzo, it's very simple; he is not playing in this moment but we have so many games in the future. He is not playing but it doesn't mean he is not going to play tomorrow or in two days or that Romeo [Lavia] and Moi [Caicedo] are going to," he added.
Chelsea are fifth in the Premier League table going into the weekend, while Manchester United sit 14th. The Red Devils have sacked their manager Erik ten Hag and have appointed Ruben Amorim, who will take charge from November 11.