Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed concerns about the challenges posed by the club’s excessively large squad, which currently numbers over 40 players following an active summer transfer window.
With 11 new signings added to the squad, Maresca highlighted the difficulties of managing such a large roster. He noted that about 15 players, including England internationals Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell, have been training separately from the main first-team group.
“At the moment, with the squad that we have, I am working with 22, 23 or 21 players – not with the 42 players, otherwise it is impossible,” Maresca stated. “It is impossible for any manager in the world to make a session with 45 players. It’s impossible. You cannot do that.”
Sterling was notably absent from Chelsea’s Premier League defeat to Manchester City and also missed their Europa Conference League play-off first-leg victory over Servette.
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The squad overhaul has already seen Conor Gallagher depart for Atletico Madrid, with Armando Broja set to join Ipswich on loan with an obligation to buy. Uncertainty surrounds several other players, including defenders Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, and Trevoh Chalobah, as well as midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka.
Maresca’s comments underscore the urgent need for Chelsea to streamline their squad before the transfer window closes to ensure a more manageable and effective team setup.
