Chelsea aim to kick-start league campaign against Bournemouth, says Enzo Maresca
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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca reacting during Chelsea's 5-0 FA Cup third-round victory over fourth-tier Morecambe on Jan 11 at Stamford Bridge.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Chelsea will look to build on their FA Cup win last weekend to get their English Premier League form back on track when they face Bournemouth, manager Enzo Maresca said on Jan 13.
A run of five consecutive victories propelled Chelsea up to second in the standings and into the title race, but Maresca's side are on a four-game winless streak in the league, dropping to fourth and 10 points off leaders Liverpool.
Chelsea got back to winning ways in the FA Cup with a 5-0 victory over fourth-tier side Morecambe on Jan 11, a welcome boost before they host Bournemouth, who are unbeaten in their last eight league games and three points behind Maresca’s side.
“Hopefully we can build some momentum but Bournemouth will be a very different game,” Maresca told reporters ahead of the home game on Jan 14.
“They are a very good team, very tough, very intense.”
He said that winger Noni Madueke, who missed the Jan 11 fixture, is 100 per cent fit.
The manager was boosted by Reece James and Romeo Lavia starting in the Cup win, as both have had hamstring injuries.
“We are very happy for both. They played 45 minutes and are available,” Maresca said. “Since we started, we are trying to manage both because of their delicate situations.”
While he added that they do not need to sell players during the January transfer window, some will leave because they want to get more game time, such as defender Ben Chilwell.
But Renato Veiga is not yet a confirmed departure.
The Portuguese defender, who played the full FA Cup game, joined in July but has made only one league start. According to reports, he could be on his way to Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.
“At the moment, I am not aware that there is an agreement for Renato,” Maresca said.
“Yesterday he was here working with us and today he will be here. At the moment, he is our player.
“The only thing I can say is that we bought Renato from Basel, he has played in different positions and has played well.”
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola said the mood at Manchester City has been lifted by three straight wins but was cagey regarding potential recruits to strengthen his injury-hit squad in January.
Premier League champions City had won just one of 13 matches in all competitions before their 2-0 victory at Leicester City on Dec 29.
They then overwhelmed West Ham United 4-1 in Julen Lopetegui’s final game in charge of the London club, before smashing fourth-tier Salford City 8-0 in the FA Cup last weekend.
“Before, it was impossible to win one, so now we’ve won three and that helps us,” Guardiola said on the eve of the league match at Brentford on Jan 14.
“But the reality is we’ve won against a team in the last game for the difference of the Premier League and League Two and the badges for both teams and for many reasons we should win.
“We did it quite well, but still we have to wait to see who we are. You know who we are, but of course the mood is better.
“We have an enormously difficult game (against Brentford). Thomas (Frank) and his team always create a lot of problems.
“They are a fantastic, fantastic team.”
Brentford went out of the FA Cup on Jan 11 after a 1-0 home loss to second-tier Plymouth Argyle but their home record in the Premier League is second only to that of leaders Liverpool. REUTERS, AFP
