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REVEALED: Why Enzo Maresca is not in the dugout for Chelsea vs Everton

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Enzo Maresca will be absent from the Chelsea dugout when the Blues face Everton at Stamford Bridge this Saturday in the Premier League.

The Chelsea manager received his third yellow card of the season after his celebrations following Pedro Neto’s last-minute winner against Fulham last weekend, which has resulted in a one-match touchline ban.

In his absence, assistant head coach Willy Caballero will be responsible for directing the team from the sidelines.

Maresca, who will have to watch from the stands, addressed the situation by saying he is unsure whether he will be alone or have someone by his side during the match.

He emphasized that when the manager is not present, it becomes crucial for the team’s leadership group to step up and take ownership on the pitch.

Despite some criticism this season, Maresca insists that Chelsea have made meaningful progress. Following Sunday’s dramatic 2-1 comeback win over Fulham, which featured late goals from Tyrique George and Pedro Neto, the team received a much-needed boost in their pursuit of Champions League qualification.

Although Chelsea temporarily climbed back into the top five, they have since been overtaken by Nottingham Forest. With just six wins from their last 17 Premier League matches, the battle to achieve the club’s objectives remains fierce.

Reflecting on Chelsea’s performances under his leadership, Maresca remains positive. He pointed out that compared to the past two years, the current season cannot be labeled a failure.

The manager stressed that Chelsea have been within Champions League positions for most of the season, something that did not happen frequently in the previous campaigns. He described this as a clear sign of improvement, even if critics are reluctant to acknowledge it.

Under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, Chelsea finished 12th and 6th in their first two seasons, years marked by significant turnover among players and managers. This year, with less squad overhaul, was expected to be the season where the over £1 billion investment in new signings would finally translate into consistent results.

However, as the season nears its end, Chelsea find themselves once again struggling to meet expectations, sitting in a similar position to last May.

Maresca reminded everyone that earlier this season, Chelsea were just two points behind Liverpool in December, holding second place before their form dipped. For him, the progress is undeniable and it is only a matter of perspective whether one chooses to see it or not.

He reiterated the club’s ambition to return to the heights it once occupied, stating that the necessary foundations are in place.

With five games remaining, Maresca and his squad have a challenging road ahead to secure a Champions League berth. Nevertheless, the manager remains confident that Chelsea are moving in the right direction.

He urged supporters and observers alike to recognize the improvement, even if it is not immediately reflected in the current league standings. As the season draws to a close, all eyes will be on how the team responds in this crucial stretch.

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

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‘We want him’ – Club chief confirms he wants to sign Man Utd outcast in permanent transfer

Andre Onana could remain in Turkey beyond his loan spell, with Trabzonspor keen to secure him on a permanent deal.

The 30-year-old moved to Trabzonspor after falling out of favour at Manchester United, who brought in Senne Lammens last summer. Since then, Lammens has established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, paving the way for Onana’s temporary switch.

In Turkey, however, Onana has rediscovered his form and quickly become a key figure. He recently grabbed attention with a standout performance in the Turkish Cup, saving three consecutive penalties to help his side overcome Samsunspor and reach the semi-finals.

The moment sparked widespread reactions online, especially from United supporters recalling their earlier penalty shootout defeat to Grimsby Town, where Onana managed just one save.

Trabzonspor president Ertugrul Dogan has openly expressed the club’s desire to keep the goalkeeper. He indicated that while Onana has his own career plans, the club would be eager to make the move permanent if the circumstances align, leaving the final decision in the player’s hands.

Back in England, United are expected to consider selling Onana, particularly with Lammens now firmly established as their number one. The club will likely aim to recover a significant portion of the £47.5 million they paid to sign him from Inter Milan in 2023, with two years still remaining on his contract.

Beyond his cup heroics, Onana has been a consistent presence in the league, starting every match for Trabzonspor and playing a vital role in their push for the title. His performances have earned strong praise in Turkey, with the club currently sitting third in the table, just six points behind leaders Galatasaray.

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Man City place Arsenal ‘bottles’ for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

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Man City place Arsenal 'bottles' for sale outside Etihad Stadium before 2025/26 Premier League decider

Manchester City appear to have kicked off the psychological battle ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal.

In the build-up to the match, bottles branded with the Arsenal logo were reportedly being sold outside the stadium, priced cheaply and seemingly intended as a tongue-in-cheek way for home fans to mock the visiting supporters.

The stunt draws inspiration from a recent viral moment at Stamford Bridge, where a City fan was seen jokingly “drinking Arsenal tears” during their emphatic 3-0 win over Chelsea—a clip that quickly spread across social media.

With tensions already high given the importance of the fixture, the gesture adds another layer to the rivalry between the two sides. Arsenal, meanwhile, will be focused on responding where it matters most—on the pitch—as they aim to silence critics and deliver a strong result in what could be a defining game in the title race.

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

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Bruno Fernandes responds to Manchester United star’s dig at Chelsea flop Alejandro Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho faced criticism from his former Manchester United teammates following Chelsea’s latest Premier League setback.

A first-half goal from Matheus Cunha secured a narrow but important win for United, strengthening the position of Michael Carrick’s side in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea, meanwhile, continue to struggle, with the defeat marking their fourth consecutive league loss without finding the net.

Pressure is mounting on head coach Liam Rosenior, who only took charge a few months ago after replacing Enzo Maresca. While the club has not publicly wavered in its support, questions are beginning to emerge over several players, including Garnacho, whose performances have failed to meet expectations since his £40 million move from Old Trafford.

Reports suggest Chelsea could be open to offers for the 21-year-old after a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge. He had an early opportunity to impress against his former side after coming on for the injured Estevao, but once again struggled to make an impact, finding it hard to break through a United defence that was missing several first-choice centre-backs.

Garnacho also received a hostile reception from United supporters during the match, and the reaction appeared to carry over beyond the pitch. After the game, Luke Shaw shared an image on social media showing himself standing over Garnacho following a challenge. Bruno Fernandes responded with a playful but pointed comment, while former teammate Alex Telles also joined in with reactions.

Chelsea’s broader struggles are becoming increasingly concerning. They now sit four points behind Liverpool in the race for fifth place, despite having played an extra game. The current run—four straight league defeats without scoring—is their worst in nearly three decades, with an even longer drought not seen since 1912.

Across all competitions, the form is equally worrying, with six losses in their last seven matches and 16 goals conceded during that stretch. A significant portion of their recent goals have come in a single outing against Port Vale, highlighting their lack of consistency in front of goal.

After the match, Rosenior admitted uncertainty about what failing to qualify for the Champions League could mean for his future. He acknowledged the result was difficult to take, especially given that Chelsea created numerous chances but failed to convert them. He pointed out that United capitalised on a limited opportunity, while his side were unable to make their attacking pressure count.

Despite the frustration, Rosenior emphasized the need for continued effort and improvement, insisting that the team must find a way to turn their form around before the situation worsens further.

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