Enzo Maresca has expressed his frustration with the oversized Chelsea squad, admitting that it's 'not good' to have so many players sidelined from first-team training.
Chelsea currently have an eye-watering 43 players on their books, yet only 28 were selected for the club's recent preseason tour, with Maresca opting to leave the majority of the squad back in London.
This situation has led to several high-profile players, including Romelu Lukaku and Kepa Arrizabalaga, reportedly being forced to train separately as Chelsea scramble to find solutions in the transfer market.
As the club works to trim down its bloated roster during the summer window, Maresca faces the difficult task of balancing preparations for the new season while dealing with the uncertainty surrounding the futures of numerous players.
It's a task he is less than impressed with, venting his frustrations at Friday's press conference ahead of Chelsea's opening game of the 2024-2025 Premier League season against Manchester City.
Blues boss Enzo Maresca has vented his frustration over the size of the Chelsea squad
He said it's 'not good' having an abundance of players who are not training with the first XI
Speaking about the size of his squad, Maresca said: 'At the moment if I start to think I have 43 players it is not a good thing, I have 28 training with me'.
The Chelsea manager went on to add: 'Paul and Laurence are in charge of finding solutions for these guys not me'.
Chelsea currently find themselves in a challenging situation with a bloated squad of 43 players, a staggering number even by Premier League standards.
This depth, largely the result of recent transfer splurges and the club's focus on youth recruitment, has created a logistical and tactical dilemma.
Managing such a large group of players is no easy task, particularly for Maresca, who faces the tough job of narrowing down his squad to those who will make an impact during the season while keeping morale high among those left on the fringes.
Chelsea currently have 43 players on their books, yet only 28 were selected for the club's recent preseason tour, with Maresca opting to leave the majority of the squad back in London
Maresca faces the difficult task of balancing preparations for the new season while dealing with the uncertainty surrounding the futures of numerous players
The club is expected to offload several players before the transfer window closes, but the delay in resolving these issues adds pressure on Maresca.
It's a delicate balance—deciding who stays, who goes, and ensuring that Chelsea are left with a streamlined, competitive squad capable of achieving their objectives for the season.
For now, however, the sheer size of the squad remains a significant hurdle as Maresca tries to establish his vision and lead Chelsea into the new campaign.
Maresca also confirmed that Conor Gallagher has returned to Chelsea, but revealed how the midfielder is currently training alone.
The Chelsea boss went on to explain how he will not be part of Sunday's matchday squad after his move to Atletico Madrid collapsed.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Maresca said: 'Conor is back. He is training apart. He is doing some medical tests and some training.'
Maresca went on to add: 'He won't be involved in the game. At this moment, he is trying to find a solution with the club.'
Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Conor Gallagher (above) is currently training alone
Gallagher had been on the verge of joining the Spanish club this summer, even traveling to Madrid, but complications surrounding Samu Omorodion's proposed transfer to Chelsea halted the deal at the last minute.
As a result, the midfielder found himself on a flight back to England with his future unclear. However, Gallagher is said to be 'trying to find a solution' with the Premier League giants.