Chelsea have been hit with a host of injuries in key positions to start the season, with centre-back the hardest-hit area.
Enzo Maresca has had to find solutions to absences all over the pitch, but it’s Levi Colwill’s ACL injury that has created the biggest problem.
He has tested a number of partnerships in the hopes of coming close to the level they were at with Colwill at the heart of the defence, with mixed results.
But Maresca’s latest comments suggest he has an idea to pair two Chelsea centre-backs who are yet to be given the nod together.
Enzo Maresca hints at pairing two left-footers at the back
While having a right-footer and a left-footer at the back is desirable, it’s not a necessity, and Chelsea have managed without under Maresca before.
As he tries to find the best duo to start at the back, the Chelsea boss is willing to experiment with his squad, and his comments made in an interview for the Chelsea website hint at who’s next.
He said: “If you remember last year, when Wes was injured, we played a few games with Benoit and Levi – Tottenham away and some more games.
“So, it’s not just about right and left [footers]. For sure, if you can have right and left-footed defenders, it’s much better. But we have shown we can also play with two left.”
- READ MORE: Chelsea will have privately talked about Liverpool’s Alexander Isak after interesting reveal
Along with the aforementioned Benoit Badiashile, there’s another left-footer in the squad who Maresca is likely referring to here. That’s new signing Jorrel Hato.
Badiashile is just returning from injury, having been a solid option before his absence. Hato has been trialled at centre-back, and he has done well. If Maresca doesn’t mind doubling up on left-footers, they could be a viable pairing for the Italian to try.
Chelsea need a settled duo at the back
One of the stories of Chelsea’s season, aside from all the injuries, has been the red cards.
In the last two Premier League outings, Robert Sanchez and Trevoh Chalobah both received their marching orders after being caught in a compromising position. Some of that is just poor discipline, but there is also an element of disorganisation that is surely contributing to the reds.
Chelsea are unlikely to sign a centre-back in January, so it looks like the options he has now are the options for the entire season.
There are a number of centre-backs who can do a job for Maresca, but unless he settles on a pairing, the disjointed feeling at the back will only persist as the season wears on.
Perhaps Badiashile and Hato will stake their claim.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
