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Monday, February 10, 2025

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Maresca says Chelsea can depend on health of James and Lavia


Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca hopes he can depend on the health of Reece James and Romeo Lavia, following lay-offs for each gamers.

James began his first match since early November in Chelsea’s 5-0 victory over Morecambe within the FA Cup third spherical on Saturday alongside Lavia, however each have been restricted to only 45 minutes earlier than their deliberate withdrawals.

The match was solely James’ fifth look in all competitions this season, whereas Lavia had not performed since coming off at half-time in Chelsea’s 4-3 victory over Tottenham in December.

“The concept is to slowly construct the correct situation,” mentioned Maresca.

“Particularly for Reece, we’ve to be a bit extra cautious. The great factor is that they each performed 45 minutes and completed properly with none issues. We are able to begin to assist them and convey the correct situation.”

Each gamers have struggled for health during the last two seasons, with James having made simply 11 appearances in all competitions in 2023-24 to go along with his 5 this marketing campaign.

Lavia, in the meantime, has performed simply 11 occasions this time period, whereas his solely look final season was as an alternative in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on 27 December.

Regardless of the restricted gametime for each gamers, Maresca says they may very well be concerned when Bournemouth go to Stamford Bridge within the Premier League on Tuesday.

“They’re each okay and we’re proud of that,” he mentioned. “It’s good that gamers can get minutes and they are often prepared for any video games once we want them.

“We’re already excited about Tuesday’s recreation and we are going to put together.”

Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola, in the meantime, is battling damage problems with his personal, with forwards Evanilson and Enes Unal each long-term absentees.

Iraola is hoping the Cherries can be energetic within the switch window to plug the hole, however can also be appreciative that it’s going to not be simple to discover a Premier League-ready striker.

“I do know that they’re choices available in the market, gamers that in all probability can come on mortgage and assist us on this interval that we are going to be with out our strikers, however I don’t know the way a lot it is going to take,” he mentioned.

“It’s not simple, the winter market. The strikers are additionally a particular place. You by no means wish to lose a quantity 9 within the winter market.

“So it’s not simple on this market to signal a quantity 9. However I do know that the membership is analysing every little thing. Every thing has been very fast as a result of we have been in an incredible place.

“I used to be very proud of each strikers one week in the past and it was in all probability, I don’t know if it was our greatest place, however we have been very comfy.

“However soccer is like this. It’s two conditions which have occurred and we must adapt.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chelsea – Cole Palmer

Palmer has been concerned in 19 Premier League objectives this season (13G 6A), second solely to Mohamed Salah (31).

The final Chelsea participant to register 20+ objectives and assists in consecutive campaigns was Eden Hazard, who did so in his first three seasons with the membership (2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15).

Palmer has additionally created extra possibilities than every other participant within the Premier League this season (57), whereas he’s additionally the one participant to have created 10+ possibilities for 2 totally different team-mates (15 for Noni Madueke, 11 for Nicolas Jackson).

Bournemouth – Antoine Semenyo

Semenyo has recorded extra pictures and possibilities created mixed following a ball carry than every other participant within the Premier League this time period (43 – 27 pictures, 16 possibilities created).

He scored in Bournemouth’s 5-1 victory over Championship aspect West Brom within the FA Cup third spherical on Saturday and is now on six objectives in all competitions this time period.

MATCH PREDICTION: CHELSEA WIN

Chelsea come into this Premier League match unbeaten of their final six video games in opposition to Bournemouth (W4 D2).

Enzo Maresca’s aspect have received 10 of their 15 residence video games in all competitions this season (D3 L2), together with 4 of their final 5.

Whereas the hosts have been overwhelmed 2-1 by Fulham of their final league match at Stamford Bridge, that’s their solely residence league defeat for the reason that opening day of the season, in opposition to Manchester Metropolis.

Bournemouth have been overwhelmed 1-0 by Chelsea on the Vitality Stadium in September, whereas a 2-0 victory at residence to Arsenal is their solely win in opposition to sides presently within the high 4 this time period.

They’ve additionally scored simply 30 objectives from an xG (anticipated objectives) complete of 39.9 this season, which is the worst underperformance of any Premier League group. Given their newfound putting points, Chelsea are heavy favourites.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chelsea – 56%

Draw – 21.4%

Bournemouth – 22.6%



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