Enzo Maresca – Chelsea return to action on Wednesday night when they travel to Molineux to face Wolves in the Carabao Cup fourth round, with a valuable quarter-final place at stake.
Following a disappointing late defeat to Sunderland at Stamford Bridge last weekend, Enzo Maresca’s side will be eager to bounce back and keep their domestic cup hopes alive. However, with a crunch Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur looming this weekend, the Italian coach has made it clear that rotation will be key.
Enzo Maresca to Shuffle His Pack
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Maresca confirmed that several changes are expected as he looks to protect his regular starters amid a demanding run of fixtures.
“Yes, we need to rotate,” he said. “We need to protect the players because if we go with the same XI every game, we are going to struggle during the season. We will make some changes against Wolves — I don’t know how many yet, but definitely some.”
Enzo Maresca also highlighted the need to manage minutes for key midfielders Enzo Fernández, Moisés Caicedo, and João Pedro, all of whom have featured heavily across competitions so far this campaign.
“There are players that need to be protected for many reasons, so we’ll see tomorrow,” he added. “It’s about keeping them fit and avoiding overload.”
Chelsea’s intense schedule has seen them play midweek football almost every week this autumn due to their involvement in both the Champions League and domestic cups, leaving little time for recovery or tactical resets.
Delap’s Return Provides Timely Boost
One positive piece of news for Chelsea comes in the form of Liam Delap, who is fit to return earlier than expected from a hamstring injury that had sidelined him for nearly two months.
“Yes, Liam is available for the game,” Enzo Maresca confirmed. “He completed the whole session yesterday with no problems and will be involved tomorrow. We have to be careful with him — it’s unlikely he’ll play 90 minutes — but it’s great to have him back.”
The 21-year-old striker’s physicality and direct running style could offer Chelsea a different dimension in attack, even if he is eased back gradually.
Wolves Seek a Spark
Wolves, meanwhile, will see the cup tie as an opportunity to revive their season. Gary O’Neil’s side sit bottom of the Premier League and have yet to record a win, though they have no major injury concerns apart from long-term absentee Leon Chiwome. With no European commitments, O’Neil is expected to field a strong lineup in an attempt to spark momentum and confidence within the squad.
For Chelsea, however, the priority remains managing fatigue, maintaining rhythm, and advancing to the last eight — all while keeping one eye firmly on their upcoming trip to North London this weekend.
