Chelsea news: Enzo Maresca ‘clear’ on title hopes as Alejandro Garnacho seeks reassurance

Chelsea are set to take on Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday as they look to bounce back from their first defeat of the season against Manchester United

Chelsea are set to shift their focus back to the Premier League following their nervy 2-1 Carabao Cup win against Lincoln City.

Having gone a goal down before half-time at Sincil Bank, the Blues fired back with second half strikes from Tyrique George and Facundo Buonanotte. They’re now due to host Brighton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, providing an opportunity for former players Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro to face their old club – who Chelsea beat 4-2 at home last year, when Cole Palmer fired all four goals. However, Brighton won the reverse fixture and knocked Chelsea out of the FA Cup.

Chelsea experienced their first league loss of the season last Saturday, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat against Manchester United after goalkeeper Robert Sanchez was sent off. Fortunately for the Blues, the Spanish shot-stopper will only miss one match for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. But manager Enzo Maresca has plenty to consider now.

The upcoming match against Brighton is one of three fixtures for Chelsea before the October international break. They also face a Champions League challenge against Jose Mourinho’s Benfica, followed by a Premier League encounter with Liverpool. Here’s all the latest news from Stamford Bridge.

Maresca expresses concern after Liverpool’s strong start

Enzo Maresca has issued an early warning about runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool.

“If they continue in this way I think it is impossible to catch them, not just for us, but for all the clubs,” the Italian declared, reports the Mirror.

“They have been doing a fantastic job since last year, and the players they have decided to buy shows the intention of the club to go again for the Premier League and the Champions League and that is quite clear,” Maresca continued.

Some believe Liverpool haven’t yet reached their peak as they work to integrate record signing Alexander Isak. However, they boast a perfect points tally and already hold a five-point advantage over their rivals.

Garnacho reaches out to Scaloni

Alejandro Garnacho has reportedly contacted Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni seeking reassurances about his international prospects.

This move could signal recognition that his difficult spell at Manchester United leaves his World Cup place far from secure.

According to DSports, Garnacho has been informed that his performances this campaign will prove decisive. The winger missed out on the 2022 World Cup squad and faces the prospect of being overlooked once again.

He has earned just eight senior caps for his nation, with his latest appearance coming against Paraguay in November 2024. He was absent from Scaloni’s previous three squads, despite the Albiceleste cruising to World Cup qualification.

Maresca gamble ‘misfires’

Maresca tried to tighten the reins at Old Trafford following Sanchez’s early dismissal. He brought goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen and defender Tosin Adarabioyoon on as substitutes for wingers Estevao and Pedro Neto, then midfielder Andrey Santos for star man Palmer.

Despite United capitalising on their numerical advantage, ex-Red Devils forward Teddy Sheringham has backed Maresca’s decision.

“After going down to 10 men, Enzo Maresca probably thought that he wanted to sure things up and keep the pressure on Manchester United,” Sheringham shared with Coin Poker.

“As soon as Chelsea went down to 10, United were expected to win the game. If they could have held out for longer then the pressure would have built up inside Old Trafford and that would have worked in Chelsea’s favour.

“If they’d kept it to 1-0 then the game gets even more nervy for United towards the end because you can always nick a draw with a late goal, but it didn’t go to plan and Trevoh Chalobah’s goal just ended up being a consolation.

“I think he was just trying to keep his team in the game defensively and nick a goal, but he may have gone too far in that direction, and it backfired.”