Chelsea Boss Maresca Plays Down Interest in Garnacho and Felix Exit

Maresca addresses speculation surrounding Joao Felix's future and Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho, while backing Robert Sanchez to bounce back.

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has downplayed the idea that his team will have an advantage when they face Manchester City on Saturday night. City suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of PSG in the Champions League in midweek, but Maresca believes that his old club will be eager to bounce back. “No, I don't believe in this kind of thing, probably on the other side,” Maresca said. “With this club and these players, when they are in a difficult moment, they want to show how good they are.”

A trip to Etihad Stadium this weekend. 💪 pic.twitter.com/sQ5PZ7eFWZ

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 23, 2025

Maresca emphasized that Manchester City's recent struggles are a normal part of the football cycle. “I don't think there is a good moment to play against City,” he said. “I think it's normal. It can happen. What is not normal is the amount of years they won things, won trophies; what is normal in football is to live moments like they are at the moment.” Maresca also expressed his admiration for City's ability to consistently perform at a high level, saying, “For sure, they will be back soon.”

In addition to discussing the upcoming match against Manchester City, Maresca also addressed speculation surrounding a potential move for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho. However, the Chelsea boss chose not to fuel the rumors, instead focusing on the task at hand.

Enzo Maresca has delivered a team news update ahead of our trip to face Manchester City. 📋

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 24, 2025

Maresca reflected on his relationship with Manchester City counterpart Pep Guardiola, highlighting the strong bond they share. “My contact with him, the club, is fantastic. I will always be thankful to Manchester City,” Maresca said. He expressed gratitude towards the club for offering him a second chance after being sacked by an Italian club. “The reason why is because they called me back after an Italian club sacked me after two or three months. We have a fantastic relationship in terms of friendship.”

Maresca also acknowledged Guardiola's strength and resilience, while emphasizing the importance of support during challenging times. “Pep is strong enough in this kind of thing. For sure, like any human being, he needs support in this moment,” Maresca noted.

Regarding Chelsea's upcoming clash with Manchester City, Maresca pointed to the team's away form as a source of confidence. “It probably shows how balanced we are. Everyone is talking we get more points away than at home. I don't think the difference is big. Hopefully in the future we can get more points at home - this is the target,” Maresca said. He views the team's away form as a positive aspect, highlighting their ability to perform consistently across different venues. “But overall, I think it's something good because of the balance.”

Maresca also provided context for Chelsea's recent performances against top-six teams, emphasizing the importance of balance and consistency. “I think if you see the top six in this moment, we beat Bournemouth away, we beat Newcastle at home, we drew with Arsenal and lost to City and Liverpool. It is a matter of balance. We are going to beat the big teams, for sure, but winning tomorrow doesn't mean we will challenge for the title,” Maresca cautioned.

Maresca addressed the possibility of new additions to the Chelsea squad, stating that the club is actively monitoring potential opportunities. “With the club, the sporting directors, we pay attention if something can happen. We will see in the next 10 days if something will happen,” Maresca said. This comment suggests that Chelsea may be active in the transfer market before the end of the month.

Regarding rumors of interest from abroad in Joao Felix, Maresca emphasized that the player remains a Chelsea player. “I said, for sure, Joao is a Chelsea player,” Maresca said. He attributed Felix's limited playing time to his own tactical preferences, rather than any issue with the player's abilities. “The problem for Joao and Christo (Nkunku) is the manager plays most of the games with one attacking midfielder, that is Cole Palmer. They struggle to get minutes, not for any different reasons. They are both top players.”

Maresca also addressed speculation surrounding Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho, stating that he is content with Chelsea's current options. “I'm happy with what we have in this moment. On the right side it is Pedro (Neto) and Noni (Madueke), on the left we have Jadon (Sancho). We had Misha (Mudryk) but he is not with us. Tyrique (George) is an option,” Maresca said. This comment suggests that Chelsea may not be actively pursuing Garnacho.

Finally, Maresca expressed his confidence in goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, despite recent errors. “Robert is okay. It is a matter for me to understand that anything can happen. How many times has Moi (Caicedo) missed a pass? Many times. How many times has Nico (Jackson) missed a goal? Many times. How many times has Noni missed a cross? Many times. Robert has made four mistakes, it's normal. There isn't any strange thing behind this. It is our job,” Maresca said. This comment highlights Maresca's pragmatic approach to managing his players and emphasizes that mistakes are an inevitable part of the game.