Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is eager to face his former team, Leicester City, whom he led to Premier League promotion last season. However, the London club will be without their captain, Reece James, who is once again sidelined due to injury.
Maresca joined Leicester in June last year after the club's relegation to the second division in the 2022-23 season. Under his guidance, the Foxes secured a return to the top flight by winning the championship in his first season at the helm. "I'm thrilled and grateful; it was an incredible season. The owner and his family are wonderful people who genuinely care about the players, staff, and everyone associated with the club. You can feel that," Maresca shared with reporters ahead of Saturday's match.
"It was a remarkable season because I encountered great people. There was a strong bond between the players and staff, which is crucial for success. I still keep in touch with them." Maresca mentioned that James, who has only played in four games this season due to a hamstring injury, is unavailable after experiencing a setback this week. "He felt something, so he'll be out. Definitely this weekend, and then we'll assess. We're unsure how long it will last. He needs to try to avoid further issues, but sometimes things happen despite our best efforts," Maresca explained.
"Hopefully, he can return for the next game, but he won't be available for this one. It's a muscular issue. We don't want to take any risks this weekend. Hopefully, it's not a long-term problem." Chelsea currently sits third in the standings with 19 points from 11 games. They will face a Leicester side currently in 15th place, but Maresca warns against underestimating Steve Cooper's team.
"They are well aware of our strategies... We'll tweak a few details to see if we can find a different approach. They know us better than we know them. It's not an easy match. We understand it will be challenging, regardless of the teams' positions in the table. We'll ensure we are focused and well-prepared. We aim to win in the best possible manner," Maresca concluded.
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