Enzo Maresca, Chelsea's head coach, recently explained his decision to start Christopher Nkunku over Nicolas Jackson in their match against Brentford.
The game, held at the Gtech Community Stadium in London, ended in a goalless draw, with neither team managing to score.
Maresca highlighted the team's demanding schedule as a key factor in his decision. He stated, "The reason why is because we played Thursday night, so not all of them were 100%. The idea was to start in one way and to finish in the other way. The plan nearly worked because, as you said, second half, the last half an hour, probably we created a little bit more."
Nkunku, who started the match, was substituted at halftime for Jackson.
Addressing this decision, Maresca remarked, "No, I think it’s just a game. I don’t think it’s a lack of effort because at the end I can see Christo every day and he’s working well. Sometimes probably he wants to give more during a game and he struggles a little bit, but for sure I don’t think it’s a lack of effort."
Despite the draw, Maresca expressed satisfaction with the team's overall performance, emphasizing their effort and preparation under challenging conditions. "I think overall we played a good game. We prepared the game in the way the game was, in terms of starting one way and finishing the other way. We shot more than 20 times and probably the only thing we missed has been the goal, but overall happy with the performance."
The match saw Chelsea dominate possession with 54% of the ball, while Brentford held 46%. Both teams had their moments, but neither could capitalize on their chances, leaving the scoreline unchanged. The result leaves Chelsea in a tight race for Champions League qualification, with crucial fixtures ahead.
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