Enzo Maresca challenged his Chelsea second-string players to show “we are men” before their 5-0 Carabao Cup win over Barrow in which he made 11 changes to his starting XI.
The Italian, who saw his team win for the third game in a row to ease through to the fourth round and continue the fine start they have made under his leadership, brushed off the significance of changing his entire line-up from Saturday’s win over West Ham.
He also targeted a consistent playing approach from his team regardless of which side he chooses to field.
A hat-trick from Christopher Nkunku, who has started only once in the Premier League, put League Two Barrow to the sword while there was a first Chelsea goal for Pedro Neto, with goalkeeper Paul Farman scoring an unfortunate own goal.
“I asked them to show how serious we are, to send a message that yes we are young, but we are men, we are serious and we want to compete,” said Maresca.
“We made many changes but the idea from the team was exactly the same. This has to be one of our targets – no matter who is going to play, it’s important that the identity of the team is always there.
“These kinds of game, I’m always worried. They are tricky games and football is full of them, where you can underestimate the other team. Tonight the performance was very good and we showed how serious we are.”
Chelsea were three goals up and out of sight inside half an hour with Joao Felix the ring leader in an overwhelming first-half attacking display.
He had a crucial hand in his side’s third goal, striking the post with a free-kick before the ball bounced in off Farman, that after Nkunku had scored twice in the first 18 minutes.
Nkunku went on to complete his first Chelsea hat-trick in the second half with his side’s fifth goal after Neto had tapped in from Mykhailo Mudryk’s cross.
Maresca emphasised the importance of keeping his back-up players ready to step in should injuries strike later in the season.
“You can have different kinds of problems,” he said.
“At the moment we all available expect for Romeo (Lavia) and Reece (James). If we have a chance we try to share minutes with all of them.
“I’m happy for Pedro, Christo, Joao; for all of them. They all deserve to play from the start in the Premier League. They’re not playing in this moment, but the way they take the chances when we give them is fantastic, no matter if it’s five minutes or 45 minutes or 90 minutes, they are all ready.”
👉👈#CFC | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/hJ5muHj5ub
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 24, 2024
The game was also notable for the return of Ben Chilwell, on as a half-time substitute to a raucous welcome from home fans five weeks after being told by Maresca he had no future at the club.
Barrow boss Stephen Clemence, who played 176 times in the Premier League for Tottenham and Birmingham, reflected on a proud night for the League Two leaders.
“I’m really proud of the boys,” he said.
“It’s a difficult opponent to come to a Premier League team, a top-six or seven team. Having played in the Premier League, those top teams are a league within themselves.
“For my boys to stick in the way they did, they could have gone under earlier. They haven’t come here and disgraced themselves, they’ve done really well.”
Liverpool are yet to make any January signings but there is still plenty of time for the Reds to click into gear before the window closes.Arne Slot has done a brilliant job to put the Merseyside giants on course to win the Premier League title in his first season. There is still room for improvement in his Liverpool squad, though, with a number of exciting players having been linked.Another priori...
Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho is hoping to land Ansu Fati from Barcelona before the close of the January transfer window.Mourinho eager to sign FatiForward struggling for minutes at BarcaFenerbahce fighting for titleWHAT HAPPENED?Mourinho is hoping to add more titles to his collection in Turkey and currently has his Fenerbahce team in the second place in the table, just six points behind leaders G...
Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has confirmed the club's interest in Alejandro Garnacho, but insists they will not be held to ransom.United star wanted by Serie A clubChelsea also reportedly interestedKarim Adeyemi wanted tooWHAT HAPPENED?Napoli have been linked with a move to sign Garnacho throughout January, with United reportedly demanding around £50 million ($62m) for the Argentin...
Real Betis sporting director Manu Fajardo has revealed the club are hugely "excited" by the arrival of Antony from Manchester United.Antony joins Betis on loanFlopped at Manchester UnitedBetis talk up BrazilianWHAT HAPPENED?Antony has joined Betis on loan from United, bringing to an end a dire spell at Old Trafford for the time being. The winger was signed for a staggering £86 million ($107m)...
Leicester City are keen on signing the AC Milan midfielder Strahinja Pavlovic.According to a report from Calciomercato via FoxesofLeicster, officials from the English club are in Milan to push through a move for the 23-year-old defender. The player has been linked with a move to England in the past.The report states that Leicester should be able to sign the player for a fee of around £21 mill...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Kung Fu kick Arsenal this season Wolves 0-1 Arsenal Liverpool 4-1 Ipswich Man City 3-1 Chelsea Sanchez again.. Robert Sanchez on Erling Haaland's winner: Thoughts Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, BleacherReportFootball, AZRorganization)...
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou.Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly keeping tabs on the development of the Sheffield United forward Ryan One.According to TBR Football, Tottenham have sent scouts to watch the young striker in action, and it will be interesting to see if they decide to make a move for him at the end of the season. They have previously signed Will Lankshear from Sheffield United, and th...
Real Madrid have one former Chelsea player on their books at the moment in Antonio Rudiger but they are eyeing a move for another player from Stamford Bridge.La Liga leaders are reportedly preparing to make a surprise move to sign Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, according to South American sources via The Sun.Fernandez joined Chelsea in 2023 for a record £106 million from Benfica after his Wo...
Manchester United have sent scouts to watch Alvaro Carreras in action for Benfica as they consider a swoop to re-sign the defender.Carreras left United permanently last summerRed Devils considering re-signing starBenfica star would cost around £17mWHAT HAPPENED?Per Record, United have sent scouts to watch Benfica as they continue to scout former youth player Alvaro Carreras. The Spain U21 int...
Man Utd consider triggering €20m buy-back clause for CarrerasManchester United have sent scouts to watch Alvaro Carreras in action for Benfica as they consider a swoop to re-sign the defender.Boniface attracting interest from Saudi Pro League clubsVictor Boniface, the Nigerian forward who has impressed at Bayer Leverkusen, is reportedly drawing significant attention from clubs in the Saudi P...
- 1 Ex-Bundesliga star's WAG has intimate tattoo of footballer husband
- 2 Transfer news and rumours LIVE
- 3 Joao Felix eyed by ‘very interested club’
- 4 Mourinho makes drastic career change and launches 'The Special One' wine
- 5 Shaun Murphy copies Lionel Messi as he sleeps with Masters trophy
- 6 Lecce reveal Dorgu meeting with Man Utd
- 7 Teen arrested after shock abuse against Kai Havertz's wife Sophia
- 8 Man Utd attempted to sign Brighton's Enciso
- 9 Chelsea offer two players to Everton
- 10 Micah Richards can't stop laughing after he's handed x-rated gift