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Every word Enzo Maresca said on Chelsea's win, Reece James and Romeo Lavia, Noni Madueke absence

Enzo Maresca
-Credit:Crystal Pix/MB Media


Enzo Maresca has just conducted his post-match press conference following Chelsea's 5-0 victory over Morecambe in the FA Cup.

The Blues progressed to the fourth round of England's most historic competition thanks to two goals from Tosin Adarabioyo and Joao Felix, and one from Christopher Nkunku. Maresca just spoke to the media to reflect on the match - and here is every word the Chelsea head coach had to say...

Was that the perfect afternoon?

READ MORE: Tosin shocks fans, Felix shows magic but three Chelsea stars struggle in Morecambe FA Cup win

READ MORE: Every word Enzo Maresca said on double Chelsea transfer, Marc Guehi interest, Romeo Lavia return

"Yes, a good afternoon in terms of we won, that is important. And then also, the performance in these kinds of games; you have to show you serious and how professional you are and I think once again, the players showed that."

What did you make of Tosin today? His overall performance as well as the goals...

"Yeah, it's a bit the picture of the game in terms of he was, most of the time, the only one with more space. They were marking man-to-man inside of the box and there was no space. He was the only one who could carry the ball and try that option. We are happy for him."

Did you know he could strike a ball like that?

"Yeah, he can do that. The only thing that from central defenders, you struggle a little bit to see them at the edge of the box attacking but when we arrive there, we have to try that type of solution. Also, Axel Disasi tried it a few times and that means our central defenders are at the edge of the box and this is a good thing."

Will you tell Tosin to shoot more now?

"Don't exaggerate [laughs]."

No Noni Madueke in the squad, what was that about?

"Yesterday he didn't finish the session because he was unwell. This is the reason why."

Reece James, what did you make of him? He came off at half-time, was that precautionary?

"Yeah, for him and Romeo [Lavia], it was just to protect him. The idea was to play 45 minutes. Hopefully we can start from there and build some physical condition and be with us for the rest of the season."

Has there been any contact from Borussia Dortmund about Carney Chukwuemeka?

"No. I don't know, to be honest. I don't think so."

How are you going to build up with James and Lavia? Are we going to see this type of thing a lot, and how long until we see them playing 90 minutes?

"Yeah, the idea is to slowly, slowly build the right condition, especially with Reece. We have to be a little bit more careful. The good thing is that they both play 45 minutes, both finish well without any problem. Hopefully now we can start to help them to build the right condition."

How did Tyrique George do today?

"Good. Tyrique is doing well with us. He already played some games in the Conference League. He is the same age as Josh Acheampong, very young, so hopefully we can give them more chances and they can also become an important part of this team."

Christopher Nkunku has 13 goals and Joao Felix has seven. Have they been knocking at your door to start more in the Premier League?

"No, they didn't knock the door. They didn't ask nothing but they don't need to ask; you can see that they show, like tonight, but two games against Ipswich we start with Joao and Christo. In the previous games, we also start some games with them.

"They have got their chance already in the Premier League and that doesn't mean every time they play in the Premier League that they have to score or assist. The important thing is when we need them, they are there."

How important is a run in this competition

"It's an important competition but since we started, we are trying to treat all of the competitions the same way. The Premier League, the Conference League, unfortunately in the Carabao Cup we lost against Newcastle, now the FA Cup. We try to do our best in all of the competitions."