Enzo Maresca drops double Chelsea team news hint as new Robert Sanchez 'replacement' found

Enzo Maresca has dropped a team news hint ahead of Chelsea's clash against Legia Warsaw. The Blues will host Gonçalo Feio's side at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night for the second leg of their Conference League quarter-final.

Chelsea stormed past Legia Warsaw in the Polish capital last week - taking a three-goal advantage back to west London. Tyrique George broke the deadlock shortly after the break before Noni Madueke doubled the Blues' lead.

The 23-year-old England winger scored another a few moments later, putting a final nail in the coffin. The odds of progressing to the semi-final weigh heavily in Chelsea's favour, so Maresca could be tempted to experiment with his starting line-up.

In fact, two new faces have been added to the Blues squad ahead of the Legia Warsaw tie. Landon Emenalo, who is the son of former sporting director, Michael, has earned a call-up after impressing in training with the first-team.

The 17-year-old midfielder made his debut for the U21s squad last season, before then signing his first professional contract in January 2025. Jack Austin, who signed his first professional contract in November 2024, has also earned a call-up to the first-team.

With Robert Sanchez struggling to shine, the 17-year-old goalkeeper will be hoping for an opportunity to impress Maresca. Richard Olise, Kaiden Wilson, Genesis Antwi, Harrison McMahon and Reggie Walsh - who are each yet to make their senior debuts - have also recently been added to Chelsea's squad.

With an important clash against Fulham at the weekend, Maresca could heavily rotate his side and rest some big names. Speaking to reporters ahead of the Legia Warsaw tie, the Blues boss said: "We try to prioritise always the next match.

"The next match is tomorrow, you know, tomorrow night that for us is an important game - because it can give us the opportunity to reach a semi-final in a European competition. So that is the first one and then hopefully we can reach the semi-final and focus on Sunday game."

Then, on taking the next step at Stamford Bridge, Maresca added: "In my mind, I think the team is ready. And the reason why I say that is because I think we proved this season. I think, even if sometimes from outside it's difficult to see that, but in the last two years, Chelsea has been top-four zero times.

"This season, we have been top-four most of our season. I don't know the reason why I was not here last season, two years ago, I am not judging what happened last year or two years ago. I am just judging this season.

"And this is the reason why I think fans, they have to trust us, they have to trust the team, they have to trust the club, what we are doing now. And the reason why is because, if in the past two seasons, Chelsea was zero times top-four, and this season we spent almost our season top-four."

Maresca added: "I think it's a big proof that the team is improving and is doing the right things. Now, is it enough? For me, no. Because I would like to fight with this club for titles, for Premier League, for Champions League.

"But at the same time, I think we have to be realistic and see that this team, this season, is improving. It's there, it's numbers. In the last two years, zero times top four, this season, almost all season.

"It's quite clear that we are in the right direction. Now, again, is it enough? For me, no..."

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