Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca explains Palmer, Estevao and Neto substitutions – and reacts to Sanchez red card | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca says Cole Palmer is still struggling with a groin injury, but defended his decisions to take off some of his other attacking players in the defeat to Manchester United.

Chelsea lost 2-1 at Old Trafford after Robert Sanchez had been shown a straight red card on five minutes for bringing down Bryan Mbeumo when he was through on goal.

Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro put the Red Devils two ahead before the latter was also shown a red card.

But despite Trevoh Chalobah’s late goal, Chelsea were unable to salvage anything from the game.

Palmer was taken off for Andrey Santos on 21 minutes and Maresca says it was down to his persistent groin issue.

“He tried this morning, he had a test this morning to play this game,” Maresca said.

“He was not 100% fit. He made a fantastic effort to play this game but he was not 100%.

“It’s a problem that is already a long time for him, his groin.

“He did, this morning, a test, he wants to play this game for the team so the effort has been huge for him but then after 20 minutes he started to feel something so we decide to change him.”

Immediately following Sanchez’s red card, Maresca opted to take Pedro Neto and Estevao off to bring on back-up goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen and defender Tosin.

Explaining those decisions, Maresca said: “They attack with five players always and we defend with four, and we can defend with four when we are 11 v 11.

“But 11 against 10, I think we need to defend all the width so we decide to go with a back five. This is the reason why.

“Garnacho was ready to go inside but then Wes (Fofana) asked for the change because he was tired after a long time (out) so we decide to go for Malo (Gusto) but the idea was to give Garnacho minutes.”

Maresca also admits he would have preferred Sanchez to concede in the early stages rather than be sent off.

“Probably it’s the best solution because we are still 95 minutes to play,” he said. “I think even Robert is aware of that but also it’s difficult because he has to take a decision in one second or two seconds.

“But if you ask me I prefer to be 1-0 down after three minutes than one player down.”