Enzo Maresca has underlined his belief in Chelsea’s squad depth as the Blues prepare to take on Liverpool without several key defenders. The Italian tactician faces a major selection headache with Trevoh Chalobah suspended, Wesley Fofana recovering from concussion, Tosin Adarabioyo sidelined by a calf problem, and Levi Colwill still a long-term absentee after knee surgery.
That leaves Benoit Badiashile, teenager Jorrel Hato, and academy graduate Josh Acheampong as the remaining central defensive options. Both Hato and Acheampong have predominantly operated as full-backs, making Maresca’s choice all the more delicate. Today’s fixture could mark Chelsea’s fifth different centre-back partnership in just ten Premier League matches this season, a sign of how instability has disrupted their rhythm.
Speaking at Cobham on Friday, Maresca stressed that while defensive cohesion is vital, he believes his options are good enough to deliver against elite opposition. With Liverpool’s forward line in red-hot form, Chelsea’s resilience will be severely tested, but the head coach is refusing to panic.
Maresca trusts Chelsea’s defensive options
Maresca acknowledged that constant changes at the back are far from ideal, but he praised the mentality of his young squad and highlighted previous occasions where unconventional pairings produced strong results.
“It’s difficult but we trust everyone we have here. When you continue to change, it’s more difficult, but it’s more difficult against everyone, not just Liverpool. After the red card [against Brighton], we played with Hato and Josh. Both are top defenders and will do a fantastic job for this club.” — Enzo Maresca, pre-match press conference
If Maresca selects Badiashile alongside Hato, Chelsea would field two left-footed defenders in central defence. While uncommon, the manager pointed out that his side triumphed in similar circumstances last season — notably away at Tottenham — when Benoit Badiashile partnered Levi Colwill.
Chelsea’s defensive struggles laid bare
The Blues’ backline issues have defined much of the campaign so far. Chalobah’s suspension after a red card against Brighton compounded the injury list, leaving Chelsea dangerously thin in central defence.
| Stat (2025/26) | Chelsea Defence |
|---|---|
| Premier League matches played | 9 |
| Different CB partnerships | 4 |
| Clean sheets | — |
| Goals conceded | — |
source: sofascore match data – 4 October 2025
While precise numbers fluctuate week by week, the lack of continuity has made Chelsea vulnerable. Regular defensive reshuffles have hindered communication and left the team exposed to counter-attacks. Maresca recognises the problem but remains adamant that quality and commitment can offset the disruption.
Analyst Verdict: Can Chelsea contain Liverpool?
FootballPlace analyst John William believes Chelsea’s defensive woes present Liverpool with a major opportunity. With Mohamed Salah, Darwin Núñez, and Luis Díaz likely to feature, Maresca’s patchwork backline must stay disciplined under relentless pressure.
However, William also notes that Maresca’s tactical system — which emphasises ball control and positional play — could reduce the defensive workload if Chelsea dominate possession. “The concern,” he adds, “is that if Liverpool press aggressively and force mistakes, Chelsea’s makeshift pairing may not have the chemistry to cope.”
Key Insights
- Chelsea face Liverpool without Chalobah, Fofana, Tosin, and Colwill.
- Maresca insists he has full trust in Hato, Acheampong, and Badiashile.
- Today’s clash could see Chelsea’s fifth centre-back pairing in 10 games.
- Playing two left-footed defenders at CB is unusual but not unprecedented.
- Liverpool’s attack will test Chelsea’s resilience like never before.
What’s Next for Chelsea?
After the Liverpool clash, Chelsea’s schedule offers little respite. They face Nottingham Forest next weekend before returning to European competition. The Blues must quickly stabilise their defensive core if they are to stay competitive in both the league and Europe.
If Hato or Acheampong impress, they could accelerate their development into first-team regulars. For Maresca, this could be an opportunity to discover long-term solutions in defence, even if the short-term challenges remain daunting.
👉 Can Chelsea’s makeshift defence stand firm against Liverpool’s firepower — or will the lack of stability prove costly?
1 Comment (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 4 Oct 2025 11:21
Hato hasnt played as a CB for a whole year at Ajax... He played against Brighton but with was shaky at time, especially when we were with 10. Ach, I dont trust him. He was the one who let Brighton score 2 goals
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