Chelsea Struggle to Manage Bloated Squad Ahead of Manchester City Clash
Chelsea’s new manager Enzo Maresca has a serious squad management problem on his hands, with the Premier League giants boasting an embarrassment of riches ahead of their clash against Manchester City on Sunday.
According to a remarkable 43-man squad listed in the club’s matchday program, Maresca has been unable to allocate squad numbers to several senior players, including Romelu Lukaku and Kepa Arrizabalaga. The duo, along with Conor Gallagher and Armando Broja, have been left out of the listed squad, with Broja’s #19 shirt going to summer signing Pedro Neto.
The issue appears to be a result of Chelsea’s hefty spending in recent transfer windows, with six goalkeepers and five strikers among the club’s 43-player squad. Maresca is well aware of the problem, stating earlier this week, “At the moment, I have 43 players, it’s not a good thing. I have 28 training with me.”
The situation raises questions about the futures of several key players, including Lukaku and Arrizabalaga, who have yet to be involved in the club’s plans. Napoli are reportedly interested in taking the duo off Chelsea’s hands, and it’s easy to see why. Lukaku’s £97.5m move from Inter Milan in 2021 has failed to yield the desired returns, while Arrizabalaga has struggled to dislodge Eduardo Mendy as the club’s No. 1 goalkeeper.
Trevoh Chalobah’s future is also uncertain, with Aston Villa reportedly keen to sign the young midfielder. It’s clear that Chelsea need to sell before the summer window slams shut, and it’s hard to blame Maresca for trying to prioritize the players who are most likely to have an impact on the pitch.
In his first league game in charge of the Blues, Maresca must navigate this complex squad situation without disrupting the team’s rhythm and momentum. It’s a tall task, but one that could define Chelsea’s season.
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