Enzo Maresca addressed the media ahead of Chelsea's Premier League opener against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The Chelsea head coach discussed squad updates, injuries, expectations for the new season, and the challenges posed by the upcoming match.
🚨🔵 Enzo Maresca: “The club knows what I think, we need a central defender in my view after Colwill’s injury… but we are looking internally for a defender”. pic.twitter.com/asUo9hyzk6
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 15, 2025
On centre-back options:
"When we build, we build with Levi in the middle. It's different than the left side. Levi is out, the only one who can do that job well is Tosin. Hato is a new one, he never played as the guy in the middle last season. Central defender, yes, but it's different. Also we have players that unfortunately have some problems and this is the reason why I said the club knows exactly what I think about central defenders."
On Badiashile, Lavia, and Chalobah latest:
"Benoit is in the process of coming back, Romeo the same. Trev is okay."
On Fofana latest:
"He could be available. We will see."
On Crystal Palace test:
"Very difficult. They beat in two finals probably the two best teams in England over the last 10 or 15 years."
On improvements:
"We are a better team compared to one year ago because we worked together every day for one season. The first season was top. It's a new season, we will see."
On expectations this season:
"When I joined the club, the noise around the club is completely different compared to now. Personally, I don't like to look ahead three, four months because this doesn't exist in football. I like to focus on tomorrow. My personal target and the target of the team is to improve every day."
On being happy with the squad:
"We have a fantastic squad. We are happy with the squad we have, no doubt. When the transfer window is open, anything can happen."
On internal or external solution:
"We are trying to find solutions internally. The club know exactly what I think. I think we need a central defender."
On how Colwill is:
"He is okay. Aware that he has to be a long time out. It's a big loss for us. He was so important for us last season. We are able to create chances and attack in the right way if we are able to build in the right way. Levi was a huge part of that."
On unique situation:
"For sure it is something new. We don't know the answer because it's never happened before. It's something new. We don't have the answer. We need to pay attention for all the details."
On how ready Chelsea are:
"We are ready, but we need to wait for the real competition. It's been a short break. We are going to try to be ready."
