Enzo Maresca Highlights the Key Area Chelsea Must Improve Following Training Concerns

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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca believes his side must enhance their training intensity after a lacklustre finishing display saw them held to a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s 82nd-minute equaliser at Selhurst Park cancelled out Cole Palmer’s early goal, as Chelsea’s recent Premier League struggles continued.

The result marked a fourth consecutive league match without a win for the Blues, who remain in fourth place and within the Champions League spots but only a single point ahead of fifth-placed Newcastle United.

Reflecting on the performance, Maresca emphasised the importance of converting chances:

“First of all, I always say the important thing is to create chances,” he said. “If you’re creating opportunities, it means you’re doing the right things. However, you must take those chances.

“Sometimes in football, you create and score immediately. Other times, you create one chance and convert it, or you might need 10 chances to score two. Right now, it’s not going our way.”

Maresca acknowledged that his side’s training approach might need an extra push to translate their efforts into consistent results:

“What we can do is try to be even more intense during the week when preparing for matches. Even though the players’ intensity and intent are excellent, it’s an area where we can still improve.

“That said, we’re currently one of the top two or three teams in terms of scoring goals, so there are positives to take as well.”

Looking ahead, Chelsea will host Morecambe in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, where Maresca hopes to have Romeo Lavia available for selection.

The manager welcomed the opportunity to regroup after a hectic December that saw the Blues play 10 matches across all competitions:

“Having a full week to prepare feels like a luxury,” Maresca said. “This is the first time since September we’ve had an entire week without a midweek fixture. It’s a chance to focus on training, prepare for the FA Cup, and then get ready to return to Premier League action.”

With an intense fixture schedule looming, Maresca will be eager for his side to capitalise on this rare opportunity to reset and find their form.