Every word Enzo Maresca said on Chelsea win, Romeo Lavia importance, Nicolas Jackson goal
by Bobby Vincent · football.londonEnzo Maresca has just wrapped up his post-match press conference after Chelsea's crucial victory against Everton in the Premier League.
The Blues won by one goal to nil at Stamford Bridge after Nicolas Jackson ended his 14-game run without scoring in style in front of the Shed End. Jackson's goal on 27 minutes proved to be enough for the west Londoners, who have now climbed back into the top four of the Premier League table with the three points against the Toffees.
Maresca, who was forced to sit in the press box due to his one-match touchline ban, has just reflected on the match and what it means for his Chelsea side. Here is every word the Italian had to say.
How did you find the view in the press box?
"No, disaster to be honest. Yeah, it's the worst. I prefer to be on the bench. It's the worst because you have to manage. You want to say something but nobody can hear, so you have to manage a little bit. But as you said, we win the game and we are happy."
Can you tell me a bit about how you managed it?
"No, I was in contact with the bench. Next to me there was a member of the coaching staff that sometimes spread the message with the ones on the bench."
What do you make of the game?
"I think in the first half we controlled the game, we dominated, we created chances, we didn't concede, nothing, nothing. Then in the second half I think we dropped a little bit. It's part of the game because the first game with 20 degrees was a little bit of a weird game.
"But the good thing was that we were strong, nasty enough when we needed to be like that. So overall I think we deserved to win the game and we are happy."
Can you just explain your relief that Nicolas Jackson is back among the goals?
"Yeah, we said many times that we don't have doubt with the ones that for part of the season they struggled a little bit, like Nico, like Cole [Palmer], like Robert [Sanchez]. It's the moment that you have to support them even more. Nico finally found the goal today. Hopefully Cole soon can score goals. But I think Cole's performance today was very good. Sacrificed, he was pressing well. So it's just a matter of time for all of them and for sure they're going to help us."
Happy with Robert Sanchez's performance?
"Yeah, and you can see the teammates, how they celebrate with him also at the end of the game. But you can see that the teammates, the team, they know that for Robert it has not been a good moment. And so they try to support him and to help him."
What did you make of Romeo Lavia's performance today in midfield?
"I spent one entire season with Romeo when I was under-23 at City. So I know Romeo very well. For us it's like Reece, they are both top players. The only shame for us is that unfortunately we need to manage them, we need to protect them. But no doubt that Chelsea with Reece and Romeo, it's a better team".
Is he quite a unique player?
"Yeah, when he's fit, he's one of the best midfielders because he can defend very well, he can attack, he breaks the line, the pass between the lines, it's unbelievable. He's very good and hopefully we can have him until the end of the season."
Trevoh Chalobah was excellent today, he's had a strange season given he left but came back. How pleased are you that you had that chance to bring him back in January?
"I think Trevoh, since he's back with us in January, he's doing very, very well. He's playing, he's helping us, he's defending when he needs to defend. He's also building from the back when we need him so he's able to do that and we are very happy with Trevoh."
You brought him back because you had a few injuries at that time and a lot of those players are fit again now but he's still starting ahead of them. Has he played a bigger role than you were expecting?
"No, because I know that he can help us. Unfortunately Wes Fofana is the other one that is out but for sure we were in no doubt that Trevoh was helping us."
Happy with the balance in the team now?
"We're going to be better and better because the players are going to understand better and better how to play different games. We said many times that against teams that press higher there is more space and we can attack quicker. Against teams that defend low blocks it's more difficult but we need to learn that. For sure this is the reason why I said many times that the fans have to trust us because this team is going to be better and better. It's a journey, they're going to learn things.
"The goal, as you said, it's easy to attack quick because it's from goal kick pressing. In the moment that you recover the ball the first option is always in front. It was a good goal."
After the late goal against Fulham and then to win 1-0 today, what does that say about the mentality of your team?
"You're at the stage of the season now where three points is all that matters, no matter how you get them. To grind out those results, how pleased are you with that mentality? Very pleased with the mentality. I think the second half against Fulham, the reaction was fantastic. For sure today we start the game in the same way. As you said, at this stage of the season the result is important, it's the main thing."
"But for us also the way is important. I think today we won the game but for most part of the game I think it was our team on the ball and off the ball. This is, in this moment, also important for us."
With Robert, do you think this could be the moment that turns his Chelsea career around?
"Robert had already many good moments this season. Just the one that now is Tottenham. If you remember at home we were winning 1-0 and in 90 minutes he did a great save. It's normal that as a human being you always remember the bad things and not the good things. So about Robert, probably we remember just the mistake but also he had some very good moments with us. Hopefully he can continue until the end."
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