Chelsea Stars Return from Injury Hell Just in Time to Face Aston Villa
Chelsea have been handed a significant double fitness boost prior to their encounter with high-flying Aston Villa—talented winger Estêvão and forward Liam Delap are both ready for selection following their respective injury spells.
Enzo Maresca's team continues to perplex supporters with their erratic performances. They can look brilliant in one match—their commanding 3–0 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League being a prime example—yet appear mediocre in the next—their disappointing 3–1 defeat to relegation-battling Leeds United serving as evidence of this inconsistency.
Fitness issues haven't aided Maresca, who has been without key player Cole Palmer for substantial periods this campaign. Chelsea's dynamic playmaker is still having his minutes carefully monitored by the coach who is rumored to succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City when the decorated manager eventually steps down.
The outspoken Italian tactician, who has offered some puzzling statements in recent media appearances suggesting his dissatisfaction with certain aspects of the club's hierarchy, has also been missing emerging talent Estêvão for Chelsea's recent fixtures, while Delap has struggled with availability after sustaining various knocks—a shoulder problem picked up in the Wolves match being his latest setback.
The positive development is that both players are fit to face Aston Villa, who have just recorded their 10th consecutive victory—achieving this feat for the first time in 111 years.
"Estêvão and also Liam Delap, they are both back," Maresca informed reporters during his Wednesday press briefing. "We didn't know exactly how long Liam would be out for but he is back on Saturday, and we are happy to have both available."
Maresca Refuses to Discuss Semenyo Transfer
Another significant topic from Maresca's media session arose when he was questioned about Chelsea's alleged pursuit of Antoine Semenyo. Reports surfaced on Tuesday that the Blues, having invested heavily in Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens during the transfer window, had made inquiries about securing the 25-year-old—only to discover the Ghana winger is already in advanced negotiations with Manchester City.
Maresca was initially pressed to verify the club's genuine interest before the discussion quickly shifted to whether acquiring a new wide player remains a priority. Predictably, his response was brief and he suggested complete satisfaction with his current roster.
"I'm focused on Aston Villa," he deflected while attempting to steer the conversation elsewhere. "I'm not focused on players that can arrive, players that can leave. The only focus for me at this moment is the Aston Villa game. I think that for sure it will be a tough game, because they are doing fantastic, and we need to be focused on that."
"Again, I know that I need to repeat every press conference exactly the same, but before Newcastle I spoke about my relation with the club, and I said that it's good," he added as an indirect response when specifically questioned about new wide reinforcements.
"I spoke about Estêvão and Delap back, and now I need to repeat. Before Newcastle I said that I'm in love with the squad we have, and I don't think we need to do something. But again, the next one I will answer the same question again."
If that response failed to satisfy those present, his rather predictable observation that Chelsea "need to do their best" against Villa, currently sitting third and building momentum toward title contention with each passing fixture, certainly won't have provided much clarity.