Enzo Maresca has revealed that a number of key Chelsea players are carrying injuries after seeing his players fall to a late home defeat to Sunderland, including Joao Pedro.
Chemsdine Talbi struck in the 93rd minute to seal a famous three points for Sunderland, who move into second in the Premier League, and compound a frustrating afternoon for Chelsea.
It was a lethargic display from Chelsea, who had dazzled at home to 10-man Ajax in the Champions League only three days earlier, with Joao Pedro particularly ineffectual on his return to the team.
Asked why the Brazilian forward, who has not scored for Chelsea since August, had struggled against Sunderland, Maresca revealed that he was nursing a groin problem.
The Chelsea head coach added that midfielders Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, overrun by Sunderland’s midfield, were also playing through injuries and are currently unable to train fully.
“Joao has not been training every day because he is managing a little bit, himself, from an injury. Mo is the same, Enzo is exactly the same,” Maresca said in his post-match press conference.
“We have four or five players that, unfortunately, because of some problems, they cannot work every day and they try to make the effort to play the game.
“So, Joao, in some games, has been better. Today he struggled a little bit, but today, I think, overall, all the players struggled today. So, it’s not just about Joao.”
Sunderland leapfrogged Chelsea, who have now dropped eight points from winning positions at home this season, to climb to second in the Premier League.
The result, Chelsea’s first loss in four games, represents a stark reality check for Maresca’s young side, but the Italian called for calm when probed about his expectations for the season.
“They told me this morning that before today's game, we had exactly the same points than last year after eight games, I think,” Maresca continued.
“We are still in October. We need to improve many things and see where we are in March, April, May, and then decide.”
