I don't know - Maresca's uncertainty before Chelsea take on Man City
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Enzo Maresca does not know his best Chelsea side before facing Manchester City in the Premier League (Credit: Imago)

I don't know - Maresca's uncertainty before Chelsea take on Man City

Seye Omidiora 08:47 - 12.08.2024

The Italian was asked about his plans ahead of the Blues’ daunting Premier League opener against Pep Guardiola’s defending champions.

Enzo Maresca has admitted not knowing his best Chelsea lineup ahead of the West London club’s Premier League match with Manchester City on August 18. 

Chelsea’s underwhelming pre-season results

The Blues face Pep Guardiola’s men in gameweek one keen to move on from a below-par off-season in which they notched only one victory on their United States tour against Club America

Chelsea conceded four times in defeats by Celtic (4-1) and Man City (4-2) and let in two in a 2-1 loss to Real Madrid and a 2-2 draw with Wrexham before playing out a 1-1 tie with Inter Milan at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. 

Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca and Carlo Ancelotti during Chelsea's pre-season friendly with Real Madrid in Charlotte (Credit: Imago)

What Maresca said after Inter draw

Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca made his Chelsea bow at Stamford Bridge against Inter Milan (Credit: Chelsea)

Speaking after Lesley Ugochukwu notched a late equaliser against Simone Inzaghi’s side, Maresca acknowledged being undecided regarding his XI for the visit of Guardiola’s side to Stamford Bridge. 

“I don’t know my team yet,” admitted Maresca. “Pre-season has been very tough, intense, many games going from one city to another city. 

“Now finally we start a normal week. Tomorrow we are off and then we start to prepare the game.”

What comes next?

Chelsea have Monday off but the Blues return to training on Tuesday ahead of their gameweek one fixture against the consecutive four-time Premier League champions.