Chelsea news: Maresca at odds with key figure as Blues plot move for Fabregas protege
Chelsea are looking to clinch their fourth consecutive victory in all competitions as they take on Eredivisie giants Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday night
Things are finally looking up for Chelsea after they made it three wins on the bounce at the weekend. Following an erratic start to the season, Enzo Maresca's side now seem to have found their rhythm.
Goals from Josh Acheampong, Pedro Neto and Reece James sealed a commanding 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday - a result that ultimately cost Ange Postecoglou his job at the City Ground. That win followed a dramatic 2-1 triumph over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge before the international break, when Brazilian wonderkid Estevao came off the bench to score a sensational 96th-minute winner.
Next up for the Blues is a crucial Champions League clash with Ajax on Wednesday evening. Having fallen 3-1 away to Bayern Munich before narrowly beating Benfica 1-0 at home, Chelsea could really do with producing a statement performance to ignite their European campaign.
However, that may prove easier said than done. Injuries continue to bite, with Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill and Liam Delap among several key absentees.
Maresca also faces a growing discipline issue, with Chelsea receiving red cards in five of their last six matches in all competitions. With all that in mind, Mirror Football breaks down the latest developments from Stamford Bridge.
READ MORE: Jose Mourinho pays beautiful tribute to Sir Bobby Robson on Newcastle visitREAD MORE: Enzo Fernandez injury update given on Chelsea star ahead of Ajax Champions League clashMaresca and James at odds about discipline
Chelsea's ill-discipline has been a major talking point in recent weeks. The Blues currently sit bottom of the Premier League's fair play table, having already amassed 17 yellow cards and five reds this season.
On two occasions, those dismissals have proved costly - both Manchester United and Brighton capitalised on Chelsea's reduced numbers to claim back-to-back wins last month. Even Maresca hasn't escaped the chaos, receiving his own marching orders after two bookings against Liverpool, which earned him a one-game touchline ban.
The only match in the past month where Chelsea haven't had a man sent off was their Carabao Cup victory over Lincoln, while their only booking-free game this season came against Liverpool. Maresca has since admitted that his side's discipline must improve if they are to maintain their recent momentum.
"For sure, it's something that we can do better," the Italian said on Tuesday. "Some of the red cards, we can avoid that."
This was in stark contrast to comments made by Chelsea captain Reece James after Saturday's win in the East Midlands, where Malo Gusto was sent off late on for a second yellow card. While acknowledging the accumulation of red cards wasn't ideal, the England defender suggested it wasn't worth fretting about.
"It's difficult, if you look at all of them, they're all very much different red cards," he explained. "They're not straight reds, they're double bookings. I was next to him [Gusto] when I saw him going for the tackle, and it is a split second. He was there to win the ball, and he just mistimed it.
"I wouldn't say this is a problem for us. We have to accept it. This is what's happened in the past few games, but it's not something that will continue."
Delap and Fernandez close to returning
Maresca has revealed that both Enzo Fernandez and Liam Delap are edging closer to a return to action. Fernandez missed the weekend win over Forest after withdrawing from international duty with a knee injury. But while he could be in contention to feature on Wednesday, Maresca made clear that he won't be rushed back.
"We have one more session this afternoon and we will decide with him tomorrow," Maresca said. "It is not something we have to be worried about. It's to try and protect Enzo."
The Italian also confirmed that Delap is "very close" to resuming first-team training, though he admitted the young striker is unlikely to be match fit before next month. "Liam is very close. He is not working with us yet. He is still out," he said." Hopefully in the next days he can start training with us."
Delap has been sidelined for much of the season after sustaining a hamstring injury in Chelsea's win over Fulham in August. The setback nearly derailed Nicolas Jackson's loan move to Bayern Munich, prompting Chelsea to recall Marc Guiu from his spell at Sunderland instead.
Guiu could now be in line for his first start of the season against Ajax, with Delap still unavailable and Joao Pedro suspended following his red card against Benfica last month. However, Maresca has occasionally deployed Tyrique George as a No. 9 and refused to confirm who would lead the line on Wednesday.
"We have him [Marc], we have also Tyrique who has played games as a nine in the past," Maresca said. "He did well. He played I think against Benfica as a nine. We have different options. We have one more session this afternoon and then we decide."
Chelsea monitoring Paz
Chelsea are reportedly keeping a close eye on Como starlet Nico Paz, who is currently thriving under the management of Blues icon Cesc Fabregas. The 21-year-old joined the Italian club from Real Madrid last year and has established himself as one of Serie A's most exciting attacking midfielders.
This season, Paz has made a flying start, registering four goals and four assists in his first seven league appearances. That form makes him the division's leading assist-maker and second-highest goal scorer - behind only Riccardo Orsolini.
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Chelsea are among several top clubs tracking the Argentina international, alongside Arsenal, Inter Milan and Juventus. However, Real Madrid reportedly hold a £7million buyback clause, giving them the advantage should they wish to re-sign him.
Fabregas, who made 198 appearances and won two Premier League titles for Chelsea, insists the sky is the limit for Paz. "Nico is a champion," the Spaniard said. "I'm very calm about him and his future. He can get to wherever he wants if he carries on with this hunger and humility. The talent and physicality are there."
Chelsea were in the market for an attacking midfielder over the summer, with strong links to both Xavi Simons and Fermin Lopez ultimately coming to nothing. But with Cole Palmer's continued injury struggles, the Blues are still lacking creativity in central areas - and Paz could well be high on their shortlist come January.
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