Every word Enzo Maresca said on Jadon Sancho, his half-time message and Christopher Nkunku plan
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has spoken to the media following his team's 1-0 win against Bournemouth on Saturday evening. The Italian made two changes to his team for the game on the south coast as Axel Disasi and Renato Veiga replaced the absent Malo Gusto and Enzo Fernandez.
Maresca was able to include new loan signing Jadon Sancho in his squad for the first time but the winger took his place on the bench to begin with. Sancho was to have a key say on the game but it was the Cherries who had the better openings early on as Marcus Tavernier went close on a couple of occasions and Evanilson missed a penalty.
Chelsea had chances of their own as Nicolas Jackson went close on a couple of occasions as he tried to find a way beyond Mark Travers. The crucial winner came in the 86th minute as substitute Christopher Nkunku turned in the area and passed the ball into the far corner to spark wild scenes in the away end.
Sancho was key to the winning goal as he played the ball in for his new teammate to finish off in style. You can find a full transcript of Maresca's press conference, including what he had to say on Sancho and Nkunku, below.
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What did you make of that match?
I think we played two different games. I think first half we struggled and second half was much better. The reason why we struggled first half for me was because we didn't win duels, we didn't win second balls and in this stadium against this team first of all you need to show the desire to win the duels and then also the tactical part is important but first of all you need to show that.
This was the message after 45 minutes to the players that in this kind of games you have to finish the game with your t-shirt dirty because you need to fight. Second half I thought we were much, much better.
Why did you decide to bring Jadon Sancho on at half-time and what did you make of his impact?
I think we start second half much better and Jadon helped us a lot but what he did tonight is exactly what we expected from him. As I said, I know Jadon very good because I watched him many, many times in the past and I know what he can give us.
Then also Christoph [Nkunku] was very good and not just because he scored but because he fought without the ball and Jadon was exactly the same. Tosin [Adarabioyo] was very good.
The performance second half changed completely but we need to learn this kind of things if we want to build something important and we want to win games first of all we need the desire to win games, win duels and to fight together.
How exciting is it that you've only had two weeks with Jadon and he's produced a performance like that?
Very happy, very happy for him. He was very good, I think Joao [Felix] was very good and Christoph scored but was also very good. The reason why Christoph in that moment is because I think we were creating chances but we lacked quality inside the box, so the idea to use him as a No.9 was because any ball inside the box we know he is a quality player and he can decide [the match] but we are happy with all of them.
How important to the balance of the team is it to have that creation down the left?
I said already when we brought in Jadon that the reason why is because we were looking for another winger like Noni [Madueke]. Noni is doing that on the right side, winning one v one, creating chances, scoring goals and we were looking for the same on our left side with Jadon.
We already have Mischa [Mudryk] there, Pedro is playing there but it's good to have both wingers they can give us this kind of options.
Christopher Nkunku has been on bench for three Premier League games in a row and does that give you more of a headache?
At the end of the game I said to the players Christoph, Cole Palmer, Jadon, Joao, Noni, Mischa, Pedro, they are not going to play all the games. What they have to do is exactly what they did tonight. If I play, I have to give all my best. If I go inside for ten minutes, I have to give all my best. This will be until the end because they are seven or eight good players and we cannot play with all of them.
Sometimes they have to be out but the important thing is they are ready when they get minutes. Christoph is doing perfect. He didn't deserve to stay out, Mischa didn't deserve but sometimes you have to take decisions. The good thing when they go inside is that they are ready and they give everything.
Would you say you know what your best front four is now?
No, we are still a work in progress for sure. We are learning process and again tonight if we don't understand in this kind of games we need more than the tactical part, we need the desire. It will be difficult because we want to build something important. Slowly, slowly we are going to understand these kind of things.
Important Sancho has connection with Chelsea fans and love straight away?
It's very important. I have a feeling that Jadon is a guy that needs love. This is what I think when I spoke with him before he join us. Also I know he has the desire to show the player he is, but for me, it is just to enjoy football. This is the reason why they play. They are happy and want to play football, they want to enjoy football and then because they are good, they are going to do good things.
Estevao Willian is joining Chelsea next summer, are you following him?
Yes, we are following him. He is doing fantastic but unfortunately he is doing fantastic there and not with us. We are going to wait until next summer when he will arrive here but for sure we are very happy in the way he is doing these things.
Spoke to him?
No, no, no. I have so many players to speak (laughs). No, I didn't speak with him.