Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has hinted at the need for defensive reinforcements during January transfer after his team drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Blues have failed to win their last four games, drawing with Everton and most recently with Palace on both sides defeat by Fulham and Ipswich Town. Maresca had won eight in a row before a dismal run over the holiday period, which coincided with an abundance of defensive injuries.
While club captain Reece James only recently returned to Chelsea’s squad – but is yet to make his first appearance since November – it is confirmed that central defender Wesley Fofana would be sidelined for most, if not all, of the season with a hamstring injury.
Fellow defender Benoit Badiashile is also out until next month, leaving Maresca with no defensive options – as he pointed out after Saturday downtime. “Probably with the injuries to Wes and Benoit, we’ll see if something happens,” admitted the Italian coach.
The free-spending west London side completed Aaron Anselmino’s loan move to Boca Juniors early this week, bringing the Argentine centre-back to Stamford Bridge six months before the deadline. However, at only 19 years old, Maresca has called for caution when it comes to rushing teenagers to first-team duty.
Along with versatile defender Renat Veiga potentially on the way to Serie AThe Blues could open up some budget space for a new – and much needed – defenseman.
Maresca also wanted to highlight the positives Chelseawas a 1-1 draw – most of which came in the form of Josh Acheampong. The 18-year-old right-back made his first career Premier League start at Selhurst Park, with his manager calling him “the best player” on the pitch.
“Josh Acheampong has been fantastic for us,” Maresca said. “We really trust Josh and it’s just a matter of the right path for him, but he will be an important player for the club.”
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