Some people are talking about Chelsea fighting for the Premier League title this season after an impressive start with Enzo Maresca predicting December to be a pivotal month for the Blues
Enzo Maresca during a press conference(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)
Enzo Maresca believes Chelsea’s form in December will determine whether or not his team will be involved in the Premier League title race this season.
The Blues face six league fixtures over the course of December, starting with a trip to Leeds United this evening. Going into this latest round of top-flight fixtures, Chelsea sit six points behind leaders Arsenal following Sunday’s fiercely contested 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca has consistently quashed talk of his Blues side challenging for the title this season given we are only in December, but the head coach has now highlighted the significance of his team building some momentum this month – a period they have notoriously struggled in over the years.
From the past six seasons, Chelsea have accumulated just 56 points from a possible 102 and Maresca is aware of the Blues’ December woes. “I’m aware because I was here last year, even if the first game I think we lost was the 26th [December] against Fulham at home, since Fulham, we started to drop some points,” explained the Chelsea head coach.
“But not only for Chelsea, I think it’s complicated for any team, especially for the one that could also have the European competition because you play every three days. But the team that they are able to be consistent in December and January, they are the teams that are going to be there for the title.
“That’s why now the main focus is trying to be consistent in the next month. And then after that, if we are there, we want to be there and we compete, otherwise we’re going to set different targets.”
Cole Palmer could make his first appearance for Chelsea in more than two months at Elland Road tonight. The 23-year-old was an unused substitute for Sunday’s draw against Arsenal after returning from a groin injury and then a toe problem.
Maresca warned that he is going to have to be careful with how he uses Palmer with the Chelsea boss revealing his plan of action.
“He is available,” the Italian said on Palmer. “The last game he was on the bench and it was more complicated to bring Cole [on] because now he needs to come back in terms of his fitness condition.
“He is available, he can start the game. The idea of the game is to start giving minutes until he can then play the 90 minutes.”
However, Chelsea will be without Moises Caicedo following his straight red card in the draw with the Gunners. Caicedo will miss the Blues’ next three Premier League games but Maresca is hoping this will benefit the Ecuadorian’s fitness.
“It’s the positive part, I like that you are positive,” Maresca said to football.london regarding a rest for Caicedo. “He’s playing every game also with the international team. Probably this break will give him a little bit more rest. Even if, you know, today is Tuesday, next Tuesday we have a Champions League game. So he’s going to be available for Atalanta.”
Dario Essugo could have helped fill the void left by Caicedo’s absence but the midfielder suffered a setback on Monday and will miss the games his suspended teammate is out for. Maresca was unable to confirm exactly how long Essugo, who was signed in the summer from Sporting CP, will be out of action but the Chelsea boss is hopeful it is nothing too serious.
