Enzo Maresca's brutal Chelsea transfer outlook offers much-needed January clarity
Enzo Maresca is very straight and to the point. There is absolutely no doubting that.
Those that did not know too much about the Italian in the summer when he was appointed as Chelsea head coach on a five-year contract were quickly informed of his approach in press conferences. Plenty of managers, particularly at the elite level, try and give 'politician's answers' when it comes to being questioned on sensitive matters.
Maresca was asked about Ben Chilwell and his situation in the summer and quickly confirmed the left-back was not part of his plans. The Italian essentially told us that Chilwell would need to leave Chelsea if he wanted to play regular football with there being multiple players ahead of him in the pecking order.
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Fast forward half a year and Maresca's position on Chilwell has not changed one bit. Speaking on Friday afternoon, the Chelsea head coach said: "Chilwell, for him, I think in this moment is thinking he is probably going to leave, so it is probably better to avoid using him to avoid that kind of situation, an injury or this kind of things. So the plan is not to use Ben tomorrow."
Straight, to the point and transparent. A dream for journalists, in comparison to some managers. And for supporters, it is refreshing to see a head coach so open on the transfer front.
He did not hold back with his view on Cesare Casadei either, with the Italian midfielder wanted by several clubs back in his homeland. "Yes, Cesare will not be in the squad," Maresca said on his compatriot. "It is more or less the same situation as Ben Chilwell.
"For him, probably in this moment, the idea is not to allow him to play some minutes in case there is any opportunity for him to go and play. At this moment, this is the best thing for him."
He continued: "I don't know [whether it will be permanent or a loan]. The only thing I can say is Cesare didn't get minutes for us, not because he's not good. He is a good player and in the middle we have Caicedo, Enzo and Lavia - for me, who are the same position.
"Cesare has shown how good he can be in the Conference League, playing all the games as a No.6; physically strong and good in the air. He is a good player but we have already many good players in that position already so he didn't get the minutes."
He remained tight-lipped on Marc Guehi and Chelsea's interest in the Crystal Palace defender, but when it comes to his own players, Maresca does not shy away from giving you a direct answer.