EFL: 'Identity of the Team Always There' - Maresca Delighted with Chelsea's 5-0 Win

Chelsea Boss Enzo Maresca Praises Squad Depth After Carabao Cup Victory

“Very happy with the performance, with the result. We did many changes, but the idea from the team was...”

Chelsea's Christopher Nkunku steals the show with a stunning hat-trick in 5-0 League Cup win over Barrow. Nkunku's impressive performance sparks calls for Premier League starting spot.

• Nkunku scores hat-trick in Chelsea's 5-0 win over Barrow

• Impressive performance sparks calls for Premier League starting spot

• Manager Enzo Maresca praises Nkunku's versatility and goal-scoring ability

• Chelsea faces Brighton & Hove Albion in next Premier League match

Chelsea's French forward Christopher Nkunku delivered a breathtaking hat-trick, propelling the Blues to a resounding 5-0 victory over Barrow in the League Cup.

Following Chelsea's resounding 5-0 triumph over Barrow in the Carabao Cup, manager Enzo Maresca gave his post-match analysis: 

“Very happy with the performance, with the result. We did many changes, but the idea from the team was exactly the same.

“This has to be one of our targets, no matter how we are going to play, it is important that the identity of the team is always there.

“This type of game, I'm always worried a lot because they are tricky games. Football is full of these games, where you underestimate the other team you concede goals and you concede chances, but tonight I think the performance was very good and we showed how serious we are.”

Nkunku's dominant display began with a 8th-minute opener, followed by a beautifully crafted second goal in the 15th minute. The Barrow goalkeeper, Paul Farman, endured a nightmare, conceding an own goal in the 28th minute and gifting Nkunku his third goal in the 75th minute.

Nkunku's Stats:

 6 goals in 310 minutes this season

 3 goals against Barrow

 26 years old, French international

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca lauded Nkunku's performance and on if him and Nicolas Jackson:

“Happy for Christo [Nkunku]... He's made my job difficult with his outstanding display.”

“It could be. But the problem is the defensive balance.

“We can think to play with Nicolas, Christo, Joao, Cole Palmer, Noni [Madueke] - fantastic! But then who is defending? Me and you?

“He's shown his quality, and it's important to have players like him in the squad.”

“I would like to put all of them in because I really like football and I really like to keep the ball but the problem is when you lose the ball and then you have to defend. Not all of them can defend at the same level.”

Enzo Maresca on being thrilled to see Pedro Neto find the back of the net: “Happy. Happy for Pedro, happy for Christo [Nkunku] and for Joao [Felix], for all of them.

“They all deserve to play from the start in the Premier League but they are not playing in this moment. But the way they take the chances when we give them minutes is fantastic.

“No matter if it's five minutes, 45 minutes or 90 minutes, they are all ready and this is the most important thing.”

Match Stats:

Possession: Chelsea 75%-25% Barrow

Shots: Chelsea 21-5 Barrow

Shots on target: Chelsea 11-2 Barrow

Corners: Chelsea 8-4 Barrow

Upcoming Challenges

Chelsea faces Brighton & Hove Albion in their next Premier League match on Saturday. Will Nkunku's hat-trick heroics secure him a starting spot?

Stay updated on Chelsea's journey in the League Cup and Premier League.