Maresca explains perfectly why he’s not going to be starting Estevao and Gittens in the league anytime soon | OneFootball

Our predicted XI for this evening’s game has Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho as the starting wingers, despite the good form of Estevao and Jamie Gittens as their potential alternatives.

Our reasoning is that manager Enzo Maresca really likes the discipline and attitude of the former two, and he pretty much confirmed that in the later section of his press conference yesterday where he talked about what he liked from both players.

Chelsea’s experienced wingers offer Maresca structure

Pedro Neto before Chelsea – Forest. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

“It’s on the ball and it’s off the ball, it’s on both sides that Pedro is doing fantastic,” Maresca said, highlighting his winger’s work rate.

“I think the other one that is doing well, that is improving, and he has to not stop because I don’t allow him to drop and to stop, is Garnacho. He’s doing very well on the ball and off the ball.

“This is not just for me, it’s modern football. If you just attack and you are not able to defend, you don’t play many games, in my view. In terms of sacrifice, Pedro has been top since we started together.

“We know that we cannot ask the same things of Estevao as Pedro Neto. We cannot ask Estevao to drop off and be a full-back sometimes like Pedro; he’s a different player with a different set of qualities. But all of them need to make sacrifices.”

That sums it up pretty nicely. Of course fans will be calling for the likes of the exciting Estevao to play more, but it’s going to be a while before he’s earned Maresca’s trust to the same degree.

In other news…

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Moises Caicedo is Chelsea’s key player at the moment, and his impact against Spurs last weekend was just incredible. For one, we think the N’Golo Kante comparisons are apt.