“It’s difficult” – Maresca addresses his toughest selection decision of the week | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca has some challenges on his hands in today’s game against Liverpool.

The Chelsea boss has injuries through the whole team, but there’s nowhere the Blues are weaker than at centre back. Tosin Adarabioyo, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah are all unavailable for today’s game.

Enzo on difficulties choosing defensive pair

Jorrel Hato playing. (Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images)

It looks likely that Benoit Badiashile, freshly returned from his own injury, will start. Alongside him is the real question – does Enzo Maresca go with youngster Josh Acheampong or the (only slightly older) Jorrel Hato?

Maresca admitted there were no easy answers, given defensive partnerships need time together to gel.

“It’s difficult but we trust everyone we have here,” Maresca said.

“If you can go with the same [defensive pair], or change one after four or five games, it’s much better. The more you play together, the better the relationship gets. Sometimes you don’t even need to speak on the pitch, they can understand each other immediately.

“When you continue to change, it’s more difficult, but it’s more difficult against everyone, not just Liverpool. After the red card [against Brighton], we played with Hato and Josh. Both are top defenders and will do a fantastic job for this club.”

Maresca brushes off left foot defender concerns

There was also some question about the very modern concern of playing with two left footed central defenders. Maresca brushed off the concern, as he should. There are bigger problems with the pair we will be picking at the back than their preferred foot:

“If you remember last year, when Wesley Fofana was injured, we played a few games with Benoit and Levi Colwill – Tottenham away and some more games,” the coach pointed out.

“So, it’s not just about right and left [footers]. For sure, if you can have right and left-footed defenders, it’s much better. But we have shown we can also play with two left.”

As long as the players don’t have two left feet…