Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has revealed a double injury blow ahead of Friday’s Premier League fixture against Manchester United.
The Blues head into the game at Stamford Bridge knowing that victory over the Red Devils and Nottingham Forest will secure Champions League football for 2025-26.
However, Maresca will be without his first-choice frontman after Nicolas Jackson was sent off during the opening 45 minutes at Newcastle United last weekend.
With Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu both nearing returns from their respective injuries, there has been hope that they could come into the starting lineup.
Instead, speaking at a press conference on Thursday morning, Maresca stated that the pair were not in a position to replace Jackson.
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Double Chelsea blow
When questioned on the fitness of Nkunku as well as captain Reece James, the Italian said: “Christo is still out. Reece is okay.
“He was ill and was out for Tuesday’s session and yesterday he had a session with us.”
Later in the media briefing, Maresca was quizzed how he plans to handle the absences of Jackson and Nkunku, admitting that he had yet to make a decision.
The Chelsea boss added: “We are working on that. Unfortunately we don’t have many options. Marc Guiu is still injured.
“He start to train with us but he is not ready to play from the start, and we are working on different options for Friday night.
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What will Maresca decide?
While it could be perceived that Guiu will be handed a place on the substitutes’ bench, Maresca needs to come up with a solution from the opening whistle.
With no Jadon Sancho due to being ineligible to face his parent club, Pedro Neto may be kept on the flank with Tyrique George handed the responsibility down the middle.
Despite being a winger, George has scored against Legia Warsaw and Fulham from central positions over the past six weeks and may get the nod here.
There is also the possibility of Cole Palmer being used as a false nine and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall being drafted into the team as an attacking midfielder.
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