Enzo Maresca opens up on the challenge posed by Newcastle United

Enzo Maresca has been talking ahead of Saturday.

Chelsea facing Newcastle United.

The visitors are fourth in the Premier League table, currently eight places above United.

However, if Newcastle United win on Saturday, they will move to within only three points of Chelsea.

Last season, Enzo Maresca experienced a 2-0 defeat at St James’ Park.

That win in their penultimate home match of the 2024/25 campaign, effectively earned Newcastle United their Champions League spot.

In all competitions, Eddie Howe’s side have won eight of their last nine matches at St James’ Park, only denied nine in a row by that late Spurs equaliser.

Enzo Maresca has no doubts about the challenge of St James’ Park; “For me, it is always difficult to play there. Night or day.”

The Chelsea boss praising Eddie Howe and his players; “Newcastle are a very good team and their manager is fantastic, he [Eddie Howe] has done a fantastic job for years.”

Enzo Maresca picking out the Newcastle United midfield for special praise; “Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton, Lewis Miley also, they are all fantastic players, international players. They complete each other. They are physically strong, good on the ball, they are one hundred per cent complete, perfect. It is difficult for any team to face them…”

Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali should hopefully be playing alongside each other in midfield against Chelsea. However, Eddie Howe says that Joelinton has been nursing a groin issue and that is why he has been an unused sub the last two games, only to be used in emergencies. So unlikely Joelinton will start, whilst Lewis Miley looks set to continue at right-back with Tino Livramento added to the injury list.

Enzo Maresca said after Chelsea’s win over Cardiff in midweek, that Estevao will miss the Newcastle United match. Today the Chelsea boss also ruling out Liam Delap, Dario Essugo, Romeo Lavia and Levi Colwill for this Newcastle match.

Enzo Maresca has now been linked with becoming Pep Guardiola’s successor at Manchester City and the Chelsea boss asked whether he will still be at Stamford Bridge next season; “Absolutely, yes. I have a contract until 2029 and it is just speculation, one hundred per cent. I do not have nothing to add and I do not pay attention. My focus is just on Chelsea and I am proud to be here…This Newcastle game is important and very difficult.”