Maresca unfazed by tough run ahead for Chelsea
Enzo Maresca is unfazed by a daunting set of fixtures that pits Chelsea against Newcastle United, Manchester United and Arsenal within a fortnight, taking confidence from the Blues' performance at Anfield last week.
Chelsea suffered just its second defeat of the Premier League season last weekend, going down by a 2-1 scoreline against early league leader Liverpool.
However, Maresca said there were plenty of positives for Chelsea to take from a game that saw Reece James and Romeo Lavia return from injury, and his much-changed side then crushed Panathinaikos 4-1 in the UEFA Europa League.
Chelsea welcomes Newcastle to Stamford Bridge this weekend, before going to Tyneside for a swift rematch in the Carabao Cup's Round of 16 on Thursday.
League games at Old Trafford and at home to Arsenal then follow before 10 November, a run that could provide the sternest examination of Maresca's credentials to date.
"The Liverpool game was very good. We were good with the ball and without the ball," Maresca said.
"For sure there are many things we could do better. We could attack better in the final third. But the guys were brave, trying to press man-to-man.
"We need to play against all of them. We have met Liverpool and now have three games in a row against Newcastle, Manchester United and Arsenal. But the Premier League is tough."
Nicolas Jackson was on target on Merseyside last time out, and he has now recorded 13 goal involvements in his past 13 Premier League appearances (nine goals, four assists).
The Senegal striker also netted Chelsea's opener when it previously faced Newcastle, in a 3-2 victory in March, but he faces competition from Christopher Nkunku after the Frenchman scored in Greece.
"We know Nicolas Jackson is very important for us," Maresca continued. "On the ball, he's scoring, assisting and linking with his team-mates. Off the ball, he's working hard, pressing the way we want to press. He's doing fantastic.
"We have Christopher Nkunku also who is going to help us because the season is very long, we have so many games, and also the gameplan can be more for Christopher than Nico. We can choose."
