Enzo Maresca challenges Chelsea to react to Fulham blow at Ipswich

LONDON – Chelsea must shake off the shock 2-1 Boxing Day loss to Fulham that snapped a nine-match unbeaten run in the English Premier League and go for the win at Ipswich Town on Dec 30, manager Enzo Maresca said.

The Blues had climbed to within two points of leaders Liverpool on the back of five consecutive wins, before a disappointing 0-0 draw at Everton was followed by Fulham’s first win at Stamford Bridge since 1979 in the west London derby.

They are now seven points adrift of the Reds (42), who have a game in hand, and one behind Arsenal.

Maresca’s men had lost just two league games previously this season, to Manchester City on the opening weekend and Liverpool in October.

The future is looking bright under the Italian, who on the contrary, had always insisted his young squad was not yet ready to challenge for the title and that the most important thing now is a reaction at Ipswich.

“We never thought we would win every game,” said Maresca.

“We lost on Aug 18, and then after two months (against Liverpool), and then after two months. But we know the aim is not just to lose one game every two months. It’s a matter of how we react and try to go again.”

Maresca has relied on Chelsea’s huge squad to great effect in the Europa Conference League to cruise into the knockout stage without dropping a point from six games.

Those who have impressed in Europe could be in line for a rare opportunity in Premier League action at Portman Road during a hectic festive period for English clubs.

Maresca made seven changes for a 5-1 win at Southampton earlier in December during a similarly congested spell.

“For sure, we are going to change something,” the Chelsea boss added.

“After a game you need to go again, no matter the result. Especially this month. We have already played eight or nine games in December, in 26 or 27 days.

“Now it’s also important to recover the energy and go again on Monday.”

England international Noni Madueke is among those in contention to return, after he was surprisingly dropped from the squad against Fulham.

Maresca told Madueke earlier in the season to up his levels in training and expects a similar reaction to when he scored against Southampton just days after being dropped for a 3-0 win over Aston Villa.

“Is he in contention for Ipswich? Yeah, for sure,” said the Italian.

“He responded very good at that time... I expect the same this time, absolutely.”

Newly promoted Ipswich are 19th in the table and winless at home, but they have had some bright moments since November, with wins at Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers and a home draw with Manchester United.

Maresca added that Ipswich are doing well under manager Kieran McKenna, who led the club to back-to-back promotions to the Championship and the Premier League.

“I think all the Premier League games are complicated, no matter the other team,” he said.

“You see every game we play, you struggle to beat teams and I think the Ipswich game will be exactly the same.” AFP, REUTERS