Chelsea news: ‘It feels like Maresca is going to be Chelsea’s downfall’

Former Premier League striker Clinton Morrison says he was left questioning what Enzo Maresca was thinking when the Chelsea line-up was announced for their game at Brentford on Sunday.

Maresca rested Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer, Marc Cucurella and an in-form Pedro Neto against their west London rivals. In came Malo Gusto, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke, who all struggled to make an impact.

“I don’t get what Maresca is doing,” said Morrison on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast. “It is like when they were second in the league and he kept playing down that they could challenge for the title, now they are in a position to finish in the Champions League places and he makes all of those changes.

“I know they have a European game [against Legia Warsaw on Thursday] but they could play their second team and win that Conference game. That is without a shadow of a doubt.

“Do not rest your players in the Premier League. I think it will go right down to the wire with them and I am not so confident in them.

“I know there are a lot of games to go but it feels like Maresca is going to be their downfall.

“How can you not play Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson? I was shocked.”

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