Maresca sends clear message to Renato Veiga amid transfer interest | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca says Renato Veiga must be willing to continue to keep playing in “different positions” amid reports he wants to play in his favoured position of central defence.

The 21-year-old has played 18 times for the Blues in all competitions this season but has been heavily linked with a move away this January, with Borussia Dortmund keen.

But Maresca says he would like to keep Veiga and says his versatility is something which will make him a better player.

“We bought Renato from Basel, he arrived here, has played in different positions, played well, and this allowed him to join the national team for the first time in his life, the senior national team,” Maresca explained.

“Probably if he is not playing in his position, and also in the international team not playing in his position, it means he can do well, and we are very proud of all of our players who join their international teams but especially in this case, a young player who joins Chelsea, starts to play different positions, four or five different positions, that gives him the chance to join the national team so we are very proud about that.

“I had a chat with Renato and I said exactly the same thing I just say to you in terms of playing in the position he is playing with us gave him the chance to join the international team and also probably gave him the chance to get speculation around him so that means clubs are probably looking at him.

“Clubs are looking for players that are doing well, not that are doing bad. Players that are doing well with the club, with the international team, and as I said, for me, if there is a player who just wants to play in one position, they’re going to struggle.

“They have to adapt. They have to play in different positions, they have to learn to play in different positions, because it’s a good thing for the team and for the club.

And asked if Veiga, who has impressed when given the chance, deserves more game time, Maresca joked: “I said many times, I also want long hair, but we also have more than 20 players, 25 players, and they all want to play but it’s not possible.”

Despite reports, Maresca says he is not aware of any agreement for the Portugal international to leave the club, however.

“At the moment I am not aware that there is an agreement for Renato,” he said.

“The only thing I can say is that yesterday he was here with us working, today he will be here with us, so at the moment he’s our player and we’ll see if something happens.

“I’m not aware that there is any agreement already with him.

“We don’t need players to go out, it’s simply because there are probably players who want to play more, so probably there is a chance for them to leave.”