Chelsea's Youth, Senior Balance, and a Sunderland Preview: Maresca's Calm Masterclass
24 October 2025
Press conference highlights
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca spoke in a Friday press conference ahead of the league clash with Sunderland, outlining fitness updates and the club's approach to youth development.
He confirmed there are no fresh injuries. Liam Delap trained with the squad yesterday for the first time, but won't be available for tomorrow's match; he is expected back in the next game against Wolverhampton in the League Cup.
The Italian coach said the recovery schedule can shift depending on individual responses, but he believes Delap could feature against Wolves in the near future.
On balancing senior involvement with promising youngsters like Estevao, Maresca explained that with 24 or 25 good players, only 11 can start, and that squad selection changes with the plan and the opposition.
He added that players who aren’t playing are not happy, but it’s a collective matter and the team must understand they cannot feature in every match.
Age is not a determining factor; it’s about the situation and the moment. If the oldest player is told he won’t start, he won’t be happy, but it’s about game context rather than age.
Maressca praised the progress of Chelsea’s young talents, especially after the strong showing against Ajax in the Champions League, noting that many academy players featured and that developing players is the way to improve the squad.
He also noted that the club’s coaching staff provide extra time and guidance for the youngsters, as they continue to acclimate to European football and the demands of top-level competition.
Youth development, Marc Joio, Estevao, and the Sunderland preview
The coach described Estevao as a standout talent and discussed Marc Joio as a classic number 9 who is strong physically and needs further development; both are receiving daily coaching to help them mature.
He revealed a candid conversation with Joao Joio weeks ago, telling him he wasn’t happy with his training; since then, Joio improved and earned opportunities.
Regarding Joio's readiness, Maresca asserted he is ready to start in the league, while acknowledging plans can change with injuries or form.
On Estevao’s adaptation, the club provides full support, with Andres Santos and Joao Pedro helping him settle in Europe and the staff giving extra playing time to young players who need to progress.
The Chelsea boss also commended Enzo Fernandez for his actions in the midweek match, when he gave Estevao the ball to take the penalty, highlighting the team’s unity as essential for achieving something significant.
He also noted Sunderland’s physical style and his enjoyment of following their progress since last season, recognizing that Regis Le Bris’ side plays well and poses a valid challenge.
Looking ahead to the clash, Maresca emphasized that the focus remains on development and performance, with a clear plan for integrating young players into high-stakes matches.
Punchline time: If Chelsea’s academy were a sandwich, the layers would be deeper than the squad list—every bite reveals a future star. Punchline 2: They say patience is a virtue; at Chelsea, patience has its own clipboard, and it’s full of young names waiting for their moment.
