Enzo Maresca dealt first Chelsea hammer blow after 2024/25 Premier League fixtures revealed

Enzo Maresca has already been dealt a major blow ahead of Chelsea's clash against Manchester City on the opening weekend of the Premier League season. The Blues will welcome the reigning champions to Stamford Bridge on August 18 as either side hopes to start the new campaign on the right foot.

Unfortunately for Chelsea, Reece James will miss the tie due to suspension. The 24-year-old defender was given a four-match ban after picking up a red card during the west Londoners' 2-1 win over Brighton last term.

He was given his marching orders for kicking out at Joao Pedro in an off-the-ball incident just a quarter of an hour after he had been introduced as a substitute at the Amex Stadium. Speaking to reporters after the game, Mauricio Pochettino said: "It’s difficult to give my opinion because I didn’t have time to see the action.

"Maybe it’s the frustration of him. But, yes, painful. Painful because it was a fantastic night of football and he’s our captain and a really important player. I’m disappointed because now he’s going to miss the next game and maybe a few games in next season."

James missed Chelsea's clash against Bournemouth on the final day of last season, meaning he won't be available for the first three Premier League games of this term. The England international will miss the Blues' game against Manchester City, Wolves away, Crystal at home.

Despite starting next season suspended, Pochettino backed James to reassert himself as one of the Premier League's best player. The former Chelsea boss said: "It has obviously been a very difficult season for Reece but now we need to help him move on, to accept the punishment that for sure will be there.

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"The most important thing now is that we back him, we trust in him and that we help him to be ready for pre-season, to start to train and build his fitness. Then the talent is there for sure that next season he’s going to be one of the best players again in the Premier League."