All you need to know about Enzo Maresca's press conference ahead of Atalanta

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Chelsea are back in Champions League action against Atalanta in Bergamo with Enzo Maresca back on Italian soil

23:52, 08 Dec 2025Updated 23:52, 08 Dec 2025

Everything you need to know from Enzo Maresca's press conference ahead of Chelsea's Champions League clash with Atalanta on Tuesday night.

Cole Palmer's absence: Palmer has not traveled with the squad for the Champions League match as part of a pre-planned process to protect him. The coach confirmed the attacking player is not yet ready to manage the physical demands of playing two matches within three days following his recent injury return.
Liam Delap's new injury: The manager provided a positive update on Delap's recent shoulder injury, confirming there is fortunately no fracture. However, Maresca could not offer a specific timeframe for the striker's absence, stating the club is currently unsure of how long he will be out.
Defenders' fitness: Reece James and Wesley Fofana, both returning from long-term issues, are available for selection and have travelled to Italy. The coach stated he will assess the starting line-up on the day but confirmed both players are in contention for the game.
Striker solutions: Delap's new injury leaves the team with a challenge in the No.9 position, as he is an important player who needs games to improve his fitness. Maresca noted that they will look for solutions, citing Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto, and Tyrique George as players who have previously featured in the attacking role.
Return to Italy: The Italian manager expressed immense pleasure and pride in returning to his home country for a European fixture. He highlighted how proud he is to manage and represent Chelsea, which he described as one of the biggest clubs in the world.
Italian tactical influence: Maresca observed that the tactical landscape of Serie A has significantly changed since his playing days in Italy. He attributed this change to many teams adopting elements of Atalanta's aggressive man-to-man, five-at-the-back system.
Alejandro Garnacho's development: The head coach believes that young forward Garnacho still has much more potential to unlock, similar to the rest of the squad. Maresca finds him easy to coach because the player is open-minded, eager to learn, and consistently works well both on and off the ball.
Demanding schedule: Maresca acknowledged the difficulty of adapting to the packed schedule and having very little time between matches. He noted that playing three consecutive away games is hard to get used to, despite Chelsea having earned more points on the road this season in the Premier League.