Enzo Maresca reveals why he benched Jadon Sancho

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has revealed the reason behind his decision Jadon Sancho being benched in their last two games.

Following questions about his decision, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has addressed his choice to leave Jadon Sancho out of the squad and in an earlier fixture the bench for Sunday's 2-1 victory over Newcastle. Sancho, who joined on loan from Manchester United this summer, was replaced by Pedro Neto in the starting lineup.

The decision followed Sancho’s substitution at halftime during their defeat to Liverpool nine days earlier. Maresca clarified that Sancho’s exclusion wasn’t due to injury or fitness concerns but was instead a "technical decision."

"Jadon has been doing well since he arrived," Maresca explained in his pre-match conference on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, adding, "With the intense schedule, it's tough for players to maintain their level consistently."

He added, "His absence in the last two matches was solely a tactical choice, nothing more." Maresca emphasized Sancho's value to the squad, stating, "He’ll continue to play in many games. He just needs to keep working hard, and he will get his opportunities."

As Chelsea prepare to face Newcastle again in the Carabao Cup scheduled for today, Wednesday, October 30, 2024, Maresca’s remarks indicate that Sancho is set to play a key role in the upcoming matches.

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