Enzo Maresca has just called two Chelsea players ‘very important’ straight after Wrexham draw

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Enzo Maresca has described Chelsea’s duo as “very important” players following the first match of pre-season.

Blues head coach Enzo Maresca has just started his reign at the club with a 2-2 draw against Wrexham in the opening fixture of the summer.

Chelsea’s pre-season tour in the United States has kicked off with a thrilling draw. For the Blues, Christopher Nkunku and Lesley Ugochukwu were on the scoresheet.

Unfortunately, summer signing Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall missed Wrexham with a minor injury, it was explained by journalist Nizaar Kinsella on X.

Next, the Blues play Scottish giants Celtic on Saturday in their second friendly during their trip to the US.

• READ MORE: Enzo Maresca played £50m Chelsea man in completely new position during pre-season game vs Wrexham

Enzo Maresca hails significance of Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana

Maresca said in his post-match press conference straight after the Wrexham result that Chelsea stars Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana are so important to the club.

Blues midfielder Lavia, 20, played the first-half in this week’s match. It was a delight to see him because his debut season last year was decimated by injury, making just the one appearance.

As for 23-year-old centre-back Fofana, he similarly missed the whole of the 2023/24 campaign with a long-term injury. Therefore, it was a treat to see him play the second-half against Wrexham.

When asked how important it was for Chelsea to have Lavia and Fofana back for pre-season, Maresca responded via Football.London: “Absolutely. They are both very important. At this moment for them, it is important to get minutes, to use every training session.

“I’m very happy, especially for them. For one year without getting minutes, it is difficult mentally. They need a boost, energy and 45 minutes is going to help both of them.”

Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana can make Chelsea’s best XI

For Lavia and Fofana, rediscovering fitness and rhythm should be the main aim during the pre-season tour.

However, we think both players stand a really good chance of ending up in Maresca’s best starting line-up in the long-term plans.

Journalist Simon Phillips reported via Substack last month that Lavia’s camp feel he’s in top condition going into next season. Based on 45 minutes against Wrexham, the deep-lying midfielder looks fit and raring to go.

Meanwhile, Fofana looked sharp in the heart of defence during the midweek game. Let’s give him enough time to build up, though.