Maresca: I think Liverpool is the best team in England at the moment, and Palmer will still be absent

October 3rd News at 0:30 am on October 5th, a focus game in the 7th round of the 2025-26 Premier League, Chelsea will face Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. Before the game, Blues coach Maresca attended the press conference and talked about some of the current situation of the team.

Regarding Chelsea's state

- I think we started very well in terms of results and performance, but after the first four or five games, we did not get as many points as expected in the next game, but we have analyzed the reasons. Most games that failed to get points were due to red cards, and the injury situation also affected the team. We currently have eight players absent due to injuries, which is the result of a series of complex factors combined, but we have no doubts that we will slowly return to where we should be.

Regarding talking about discipline with players - you have to analyze the situation in detail. If we are talking about red cards that are eaten because of maliciousness or discipline, it is different from the red cards against Brighton or Manchester United. You have to make a decision in a second or two, which is difficult. Even if we took three or four red cards, I don't think it was a discipline issue.

Regarding defense against Liverpool

- Again, I think I trust young players very much. Not only the players we bought, but also those from the Youth Training Academy. Achimpon has already played, which shows that I trust young players. Currently, I think we have four or five defenders out of the box and we will try to adapt and find the right solution for tomorrow.

About Liverpool's championship strength

-Any team in the world has its weaknesses, not just Liverpool. But if one team can win every game, the other teams can't catch up with them. Now that Liverpool has lost a game or two, it shows their weakness, which is a situation that all teams in the world will face. In the Premier League, you may lose points on any opponent.

About last season's match against Liverpool

- Yes, we played well in both games last season, we lost at home but won away. Every game is different, and we will try our best to prepare for the game in the best way. Despite their loss of points, they also showed why they were able to win the Premier League title.

About the offside trap last season and the progress in this area

- As you said, our defense performed very well last season. But you have to keep trying to evolve, add new elements, do better, and we are working on doing that.

About Badiacile's influence

-Every time I talk about Badiacile since I came here, I have been saying that he is an important player. Unfortunately, he suffered several injuries. Before he was injured last time, he played almost every game. Now that he is back, it is good news for us, especially for himself.

Is it a good time to play against Liverpool?

- I don't think it's better to play against Liverpool now, this game has been tough and the opponents are always strong. In any case, they have performed very well this season, especially in the case of Jota's tragedy. I experienced the same situation when I was a player 20 years ago. Whether it is a player or a coach, it is not easy, you have to be very strong. This is why in my opinion, their current performance cannot be described as good, but is better, because it is not easy to deal with such problems.

Regarding the evaluation of the season so far

- I enjoyed it, of course, I hope all the players can play because it would be better. This is normal. I never thought that everything would go well if I became Chelsea head coach. I need to adapt and improve.

About Jiwu has not played yet

- Jiwu did a good job, and his performance this week was really, very good, much better than his first few weeks back.

Estewan kicks the No. 10 position?

- We will consider giving players opportunities in various positions. Estewan reminds me of Palmer. When I was at Manchester City U23 with Palmer, Palmer's style of playing was very similar to Estewan now. They both appeared at the winger position first and then slowly moved like the middle. In the Premier League, if you want to play in the middle, you need to be physically prepared.

Is Liverpool the benchmark for Chelsea?

- I think they are the best team in England right now because they have proved it and won the Premier League title. We are improving, we are working on solving problems, and of course, eventually we will approach and achieve our goals.

Is Jiwu's development at risk?

- I don't think so, he's back to Chelsea, which is a big club. There is no doubt that he will get playing time. The progress of young players is not only in the game, but also in training, and he is training with us.

Regarding the team's injury situation

- Palmer is still absent, Charoba is suspended, and we have seven or eight players who will miss tomorrow's game.

Let's talk about Palmer

-I have no new news at the moment, we have a meeting this week.

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