Chelsea are confident of extending their three-game winning streak this week. Enzo Maresca’s side beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the weekend, preparing them for Wednesday’s Champions League game against Ajax.
The Blues managed to maintain the momentum from their win against Liverpool before the international break. Young striker Marc Giu has featured in the club’s last two games after reportedly holding talks with Maresca after being recalled from a season-long loan to Sunderland. Chelsea have been focusing on signing promising young players in recent years and are reportedly keen to add another member to their squad. Meanwhile, Chelsea legend Cesar Azpilicueta has recalled his unforgettable time at the club. The Spanish defender may have helped the Blues win a number of major titles, but he remembers a time when he felt his position in the team was most at risk.
Enzo Maresca fulfills his promise to Marc Giu
After being recalled to the club due to Liam Delap’s injury, Giu is said to have contacted Maresca to discuss how he could secure his place in the team. The 19-year-old had never played for Chelsea before making a brief appearance against Liverpool before the international break.
The Athletic reports that the conversations before Liverpool’s win were amicable, with the Chelsea manager outlining that the striker could earn minutes if he remained committed in training. Maresca appeared to have listened to Giu’s comments and used him against Liverpool the following day, before bringing him on as a half-time substitute against Forest on Saturday.
“Giu was good (against Forest),” Maresca told The Athletic. “I think he played 15 minutes against Liverpool and played against (Virgil) van Dijk, (Ibrahima) Konate and (Ryan) Grabenberg. And he was very good. Today he won a corner kick from Morato a minute into the second half, so we need that from Marc.”
Chelsea in talks with former Liverpool head of recruitment
The Standard reports that Chelsea are in talks with former Liverpool director of scouting and recruitment, David Fallows. Mr Fallows will take on a senior coaching position and will assist with scouting, as well as providing guidance on wider football operations.
It is understood that he will report directly to co-sporting directors Lawrence Stewart and Paul Winstanley, and work closely with co-directors of recruitment and talent Sam Jewell and Joe Shields.
Fallows spent 12 years at Liverpool before leaving the club in October 2024. A club statement from Liverpool said his contribution was “foundational” in building a successful team under Jurgen Klopp.
Cesar Azpilicueta joins Chelsea
Former Chelsea stalwart Cesar Azpilicueta starred for the Blues for more than a decade. However, after Chelsea acquired Filipe Luis from Atletico Madrid in 2014, the defender recalled his fear of losing his place in the team.
“Then Filipe Luis joined Chelsea, who…was probably the best left-back at the moment,” Azpilicueta revealed to FlashScore. “It gave me competition, it gave me a way to help the team and bring something different. And I had to step up, and yeah, I played a lot, and it was really fun. I played with John Terry on the left wing, and it was like a masterpiece for me learning how to play defense.”
Despite initial concerns, Azpilicueta quickly established himself as a key player and outperformed his Brazilian rival, who returned to Atlético just a year later, making just 26 appearances for Jose Mourinho’s side.
