The unusual setup which means Enzo Maresca is calling for his players to “step forward” | OneFootball

Chelsea are preparing to take on Everton at Stamford Bridge in an hour, and there are some interesting tweaks to the team.

Enzo Maresca has switched things up, but he won’t be there to adjust them if they go wrong. The Chelsea manager is banned after picking up a fourth yellow card of the season in the win over Fulham.

It was very harsh – he did celebrate the late winning goal hard, but it wasn’t particularly offensive. The ref should probably have let him off. But he didn’t and here we are, facing another huge game, this time without our manager on the bench.

In an interview with the club website the Chelsea boss explained how things would work in his absence. Willy Caballero, former Chelsea goalkeeper and Maresca’s former teammate from Malaga, will be in charge from the sidelines.

“I know Willy from many years ago. We played together and since then we always have been in contact, and from the moment that we finished as players, [talked] about doing something together. He has been with me since my journey started. Willy’s background for sure means he can help a lot with the relations with players.

Maresca calls on his leaders to step up

Reece James and an Enzo Maresca split screen. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

Maresca also noted that this was the moment for the leaders in his squad to step up:

“In almost all the clubs where I’ve ever been, I was one of the captains, so probably when the manager is not there, it’s for the leadership group to also step forward, to take responsibility because yes, the manager is not there,” Maresca said.

“The assistant manager is there, the coach is there for sure, but you also as a player probably you need to take more responsibility.”

He has previously complained about a lack of vocal leadership from his captain, Reece James, who is on the bench today. Those out on the pitch – including the on-field captain Enzo Fernandez, will have to do their part.