Enzo Maresca insisted Chelsea’s “unfair” schedule pressured him to drop out-of-form ahead Cole Palmer for Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Brentford. Maresca’s facet had 24 hours lower than Brentford to organize for the west London derby after beating Tottenham 1-0 on Thursday. England star Palmer was finally despatched on by Maresca after an hour, however he was unable to interrupt the impasse, lifting his greatest likelihood over the crossbar in stoppage-time. Although Palmer has struggled for a lot of his second season with Chelsea — failing to attain in his final 12 video games in all competitions — Maresca was adamant it was the fixture listing that was behind his axing in opposition to Brentford.
“We ready the sport in the best way it was. We performed a demanding sport Thursday night time,” the Italian mentioned.
“A tough sport, a sunny day, the pitch was dry, they tried to kill the tempo, however we did greater than sufficient to win the sport. The solely factor we missed was the objective.
“We performed Thursday night time so not all of them have been 100%. The thought was to start out in a technique and end in one other. The plan almost labored. Overall the change between the primary and second half was not sufficient to win the sport.
“Was the scheduling unfair? I believe so, at this stage of the season. We tried to adapt. Thursday night time was a demanding sport.
“We mentioned many instances when it is a transition sport, it was demanding, in comparison with at this time. Yes, 24 hours makes a distinction.”
Brentford supervisor Thomas Frank agreed that the additional day was important, together with his facet additionally affected by the fixture schedule this season.
Warming to the theme, the Dane went on to label the Club World Cup in June and July, which Chelsea are taking part in, as “ridiculous”.
“It’s simply one other match. Will I watch it? No likelihood!” he added.
Next up for Chelsea is a UEFA Conference League quarter-final journey to Legia Warsaw on Thursday, however Maresca’s precedence continues to be qualifying for the Champions League.
“For positive, that is crucial,” he mentioned. “Our goal is to convey this membership to the place it must be, within the Champions League.
“Since day one we’re up there, hopefully we will end there.”
Chelsea presently occupy fourth place within the Premier League, with a top-five end more likely to be sufficient to safe Champions League soccer subsequent season.
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