Chelsea boss teases key selection decisions against Qarabag

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has dropped hints on a number of selection decisions for his starting lineup when they face Qarabag this week.

The Blues have made the long trip to Baku in Azerbaijan, the scene of their Europa League triumph in 2019, for Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash.

The two clubs are level on points after three games in the league phase, with Chelsea occupying 11th place, two places above Qarabag on goal difference. The top eight teams receive a bye to the round of 16.

Chelsea boss teases key selection decisions against Qarabag

Captain Reece James could make his second start in the competition this season after being an unused substitute in the 5-1 win over Ajax last month. The right-back’s minutes have been managed carefully due to persistent injuries in recent years, but Maresca says he is now ready to play three games in a week.

The Italian said: “Reece is good, he is doing well. He is fit, 100 per cent. The way he has behaved every game is top. Even when he is not playing, the way he is with his teammates in the dressing room.

“In the way we use Reece, we don’t use him up and down. It’s a big job to do that when we use a full-back in a different way. He is ready to play three games in a week.”

Filip Jorgensen could be in line to make his fourth start of the season after deputising for Robert Sanchez against Ajax.

“He could be an option, yes,” Maresca said. “We need both ‘keepers ready and in the end, we need to treat Robert in a similar way we deal with different players.”

He added: “Last year, he was playing all the Conference League games and we used him in different competitions. He was doing well and he is doing the same this season. It’s not easy for goalkeepers.”

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Liam Delap could make his first start in over two months after recovering from injury. The striker made his return off the bench in the League Cup win over Wolves last week, but was suspended for Saturday’s win over Spurs after picking up a red card.

“Liam is back,” Maresca said. “He is an important player for us. He is an option for tomorrow. I don’t have any doubt at the end of the season that we will be very happy with Liam in terms of goals and the way he works off the ball. No doubt he is going to help us.”

Romeo Lavia may have to settle for a place on the bench as he works his way back up to full fitness. The midfielder has struggled with recurring injury problems since joining Chelsea from Southampton in 2023. He’s made three starts in all competitions this season, and came off the bench for a 15-minute cameo against Spurs at the weekend.

“The main target for Romeo is now to be fit,” Maresca stressed. “Don’t get any injuries. For me, in this moment, Romeo is where Reece was more or less one year ago in terms of being back after a long time.

“We need to manage him all the time. The target for him is to keep him fit. We need to be very careful with him because we don’t want him to be out again and finally he can enjoy being a footballer.”

“We are happy with Romeo,” he added. “I would like to have him on the pitch always but it’s my duty to protect him.”

Meanwhile, Pedro Neto has been ruled out of the Qarabag trip with a “small issue”, although he could be available for selection this Saturday when Chelsea host Wolves at Stamford Bridge.

Cole Palmer remains sidelined by a groin injury, although Maresca is hopeful he will be back in time to face Barcelona later this month.

“We hope so but with Cole, we try to schedule the beginning and then we need to review that. We go day by day with Cole. He is not taking any sessions with the team. We have Benoit Badiashile that can probably be available after the international break and for us, that is huge news.”

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