Chelsea Coach Appreciated for Honesty

Chelsea midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has expressed admiration for head coach Enzo Maresca's straightforward approach regarding player selections. Dewsbury-Hall noted that the squad respects Maresca for his candidness, particularly in informing certain players, including England internationals Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell, that they are not part of his plans moving forward. Approximately 20 players are now training separately from the first team, leaving a core group of 20 or 21 available for selection ahead of the upcoming Conference League play-off against Swiss side Servette. The 25-year-old, who joined Chelsea as part of a significant £200 million transfer spree, emphasized the importance of clarity in player roles. Having previously played under Maresca at Leicester, Dewsbury-Hall made his debut for Chelsea during a recent Premier League match against Manchester City. He stated, “As a player, you want to have clarity in terms of what’s happening,” highlighting that honesty fosters a better environment within the team. Maresca's recent decisions have led to the signing of two new players competing for Sterling's position, including Pedro Neto from Wolves, who has taken Sterling's number seven shirt. Sterling was informed last Friday that he would not be included in the coach's plans for the season. Dewsbury-Hall acknowledged the need for players to focus on their performance, stating, “We’re in a bubble... we’ve only got one job, that’s to play as well as we can for the club.”