“We are very happy with him” – Maresca praises his workhorse winger after crucial contributions | OneFootball

It’s been clear for quite some time now that summer arrival Alejandro Garnacho was going to be an Enzo Maresca favourite, and the Chelsea coach has started the winger in the Premier League consistently since he reached match fitness.

Maresca hails Garnacho work rate after Wolves win

Enzo Maresca gesticulates on the touchline. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Today was the Argentine’s best game yet as he grabbed two assists and played a crucial role in Chelsea’s win. Maresca took the chance to praise his winger in the post match press conference:

“He arrived here from another club where he was not training 100 per cent so his physical condition was not good. Slowly, slowly, now it’s better,” the manager said.

“He’s doing very well on the ball but he’s doing very, very well off the ball. He knows that to play with us he has to be good on the ball and off the ball otherwise he’s not going to play. We are very happy with him at this moment.”

Obviously Maresca loves Garnacho’s work rate and pressing, and that’s why he’s preferred to Jamie Gittens. If the former Man U man can keep delivering in terms of G/A too, so much the better.

Now comes the international break, hopefully a chance for Garnacho to rest and recover and stay fresh so he can keep up this good form in our next run of games, including crucial clashes against Barcelona and Arsenal.

In other news…

Liam Delap got a start in this game but struggled, especially in the first half. After the game, Enzo Maresca defended his striker, explaining how difficult the circumstances were.

Meanwhile, Enzo Fernandez has ruled himself out of international duty with a knee injury. It’s great news for Chelsea, who get to see their key man follow up a man of the match performance against Wolves with a two week break.