Hello and welcome to football.london and to Germany for live coverage of Enzo Maresca's pre-match press conference this evening.
The Blues take on FC Heidenheim on Thursday evening in match day four of this season's UEFA Conference League league phase. So far, so good for Chelsea - who boast a 100% record after the opening three matches of the newly-named group stage.
However, Bundesliga outfit Heidenheim, too, have won all three of their opening three games in the competition. This could well be Chelsea's most difficult challenge yet in a competition where it has been fairly straightforward for Maresca and his team thus far.
The Blues head coach will preview the match from 8pm local time (7pm GMT). You can follow live coverage from the pre-match press conference with Bobby Vincent, who is in Heidenheim right now.
Key Events
On the Heidenheim clash
I enjoy every game; knowing that in this competition, every club and every team try to make it a big game because it's a big game. The issue for us can be if we are not ready mentally and we underestimate something, it can hurt us.
More on James
For sure, if we have him, we are more happy because we can use him and he can help us in different ways. We don't have doubt that when he played from the start or from the bench, he always helped us. Now, he's injured. I think the best thing we can do, as the staff, and you, don't talk too much about Reece. The more we speak about Reece, the more pressure we put on them. The more you ask, the more I answer, the more we put pressure on him.
On James' latest setback
It is something he has to fight in terms of it's normal, when you get injured, you become afraid, it's normal on that. At the same time, it is his profession. You can get injured.
More on Nkunku
Probably the best moment for Christo with us has been in pre-season, playing in his position. Since we started, he is playing as a nine for us. Against City, he played as a winger; knowing this is not his best position. His best position is as a 10 but Cole is playing there. We need balance.
More on Nkunku - is he for sale?
Absolutely [he is not for sale], yes.
The problem with Christo, not the problem but the same issue we have mentioned many times; if you play with Cole, Joao, Christo, Jadon or Noni - who is defending? Their skill is not defending. The last game, we tried with Joao and Cole together.
On Nkunku being 'unhappy'
Not at all. I spoke with Christo days ago - he did not say he is not happy.
On keeping his squad happy
Joao Felix played Premier League game the other day. Christo for sure is going to play Premier League game. The intention is to keep them all happy even knowing it is not always possible.
On the competition - how important it is?
It's important competition, first of all it is a European competition. The main reason is because it's a competition. Since we started, we have tried to share minutes with all of the squad. In this moment, it is like this.
On James scan
Yes, we cannot say because we do not know how long the recovery time is. He is getting better day by day. We are waiting for him.
We do not know exactly so we will not say how many days he needs.
On Acheampong
There is not any update in terms of contract. He had a session with us in the last two days with some of the young players. He is not in the squad for tomorrow and we have four or five with our second team with us.
He is just training with us in the last two days.
Late
Enzo is late but we have word that he should not be much longer, so there is the good news!
In position
We have arrived at the Voith-Arena.
Heidenheim. Presser to begin at 7pm GMT #CFC pic.twitter.com/t4R6U8v4Ri
— Bobby Vincent (@BobbyVincentFL) November 27, 2024
Maresca's team selection dilemma
With Enzo Fernandez shining against Leicester City, Enzo Maresca is facing a big team selection dilemma for the Conference League clash at FC Heidenheim
The Argentine international has played most of his minutes this season in Europe but has made a huge impact in the last two Premier League games.
He picked up the assist for Pedro Neto's equaliser against Arsenal before again providing the key pass that allowed Nicolas Jackson to score against Leicester with the midfielder later heading home Chelsea's second goal of that game.
Given he started over Romeo Lavia, it would make sense for the Belgian to feature on Thursday, however he was not named in the squad. As such, a big dilemma awaits Maresca if wants to deploy Fernandez against Aston Villa this weekend.
Key Chelsea trio already ruled out
Even before Enzo Maresca's press conference, three key Chelsea players will not be in the matchday squad to face FC Heidenheim.
Due to load management, Cole Palmer, Wesley Fofana and Romeo Lavia were not included in Chelsea's squad for the league stage. As such, Maresca already knows he will be without those three players but the bold decision to do is certainly paying off thus far.
In terms of injury issues, none of Malo Gusto, Reece James or Axel Disasi were spotted in training at Cobham before Thursday's game.
Chelsea icon Lampard lands next job
Away from ongoing Chelsea activities, club legend Frank Lampard looks set for a return to management with it being widely reported the 46-year-old has agreed to replace Mark Robins as the new head coach of Championship side Coventry City.
Former Manchester United interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who managed one of his four games against Chelsea, was among the other contenders but Lampard has with the Dutchmen possibly heading to Leicester City following the sacking of Steve Cooper.
Chelsea drop major transfer hint with training change
A number of youngsters are expected to be involved in the Conference League clash between Chelsea and FC Heidenheim.
Marc Guiu, Sam Rak-Sakyi and Tyrique George have all featured and now Josh Acheampong could be next, despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding his future.
football.london understands that Chelsea retaliated against Acheampong last month after his camp backtracked on signing fresh terms. However, it seems a breakthrough has been found with the 18-year-old spotted in first-team training before Thursday's game in Germany.
One winning record will end
Five days on from their Premier League triumph over Leicester City, Chelsea are aiming to keep their 100 per cent winning record alive in Europe with a trip to Germany. Their opponents sit fifteenth in the Bundesliga table but, like Chelsea, have also won all three games in the Conference League.
While the Blues have beaten Noah, Gent and Panathinaikos while Heidenheim have triumphed over Hearts, Pafos and Olimpia Ljubljana.
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to football.london for live coverage of Enzo Maresca's pre-match press conference ahead of FC Heidenheim versus Chelsea in the UEFA Conference League.
The Blues take on the Germans in their own back yard for match day four of the league phase of the European competition. But before that, Maresca will face the media to preview the game.
The press conference is due to begin at 8pm local time (7pm UK) and Bobby Vincent is live at the Voith-Arena to bring you live coverage from the Chelsea head coach.
