Chelsea latest: Enzo Maresca makes 'regret' comment as Garnacho verdict offered

Chelsea are eagerly anticipating the resumption of Premier League action after claiming a morale-boosting - and potentially momentum-shifting - victory over Liverpool earlier this month. The Blues have struggled with consistency this season, dropping points in four of their first seven league matches and conceding 13 goals in 10 games across all competitions.

Injuries have hit the squad hard, with Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, and Liam Delap among the notable absentees. Discipline has also been an issue, as Chelsea have received four red cards in under a month. Yet, there are several reasons for optimism. Moises Caicedo has begun the campaign in commanding, standout form, while Brazilian youngster Estevao is beginning to reveal glimpses of the world-class talent he promises to become, particularly with his eye-catching cameo - and last-minute winner - against Liverpool. Still, with rhythm hard to come by, key players sidelined, and defensive weaknesses remaining, Chelsea face several challenges ahead of their trip to Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Here, Express Football takes a look at the latest updates surrounding the club.

Maresca: 'I have no regrets'

Enzo Maresca maintains he has no regrets about the red card he received during Chelsea's 2-1 victory over Liverpool. The Italian coach was dismissed in stoppage time after sprinting down the touchline - Jose Mourinho-style - to join the celebrations following Estevao's dramatic late winner.

Maresca had already been booked in the first half for contesting referee Anthony Taylor's decision not to award Chelsea a penalty. He then received a second yellow for leaving his technical area to join the jubilant celebrations.

As a consequence, he will miss Chelsea's clash with Forest this weekend due to a one-match suspension. However, the former Leicester coach says the moment was worth it. "It was a huge emotion," Maresca said at the Trento Sports Festival.

"It's my second season at Chelsea and it was the first time we won at home in the last minute. Sending off? Many times football is passion, instinct. I probably didn't have time to think. It was an instinctive reaction, but I think it was worth it."

Maresca may not yet share the same connection with Chelsea supporters as Mourinho, Thomas Tuchel, or Antonio Conte did, but his spirited, full-speed dash down the touchline has certainly won admiration. Blues fans typically appreciate a manager who wears his heart on his sleeve, and Maresca's joyous sprint provided a glimpse of what could become an exciting bond between coach and supporters.

Solution to Fernandez problem

Chelsea's injury woes have been mounting all season, and the international break has offered little relief. Enzo Fernandez, who has been a constant presence, was forced to withdraw from Argentina duty this weekend due to synovitis in his right knee.

The precautionary absence now raises doubts about Fernandez's availability for Chelsea's match against Nottingham Forest. Fortunately, Maresca has a ready replacement in Andrey Santos. The Brazilian, who spent last season on loan at Strasbourg, is regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in the game, and Fernandez's injury could provide him with the perfect chance to launch his Chelsea career.

Santos has featured seven times this season, but only started twice - and just once in the Premier League, in last month's defeat to Brighton - and even then he was substituted early after Trevoh Chalobah received a red card.

The 21-year-old has been sidelined with a knock since that match but returned to full fitness this week, potentially offering a solution to Maresca's midfield concerns. Santos is versatile, able to operate as a No. 6 or No. 8, and has also been deployed in the No. 10 role.

He scored 11 goals in 34 games in France last season but has yet to open his account for Chelsea. Despite summer loan speculation, Maresca insisted the Brazilian would remain at Stamford Bridge, having been impressed during pre-season. "First of all, I am very happy with Andrey and the idea that Andrey stays here with us," Maresca said in August.

"He can play in Enzo Fernandez or Moises Caicedo's positions for sure. He played one game in the Club World Cup against Palmeiras where he was very good as a No. 6. So he can play in both positions very well."

While Fernandez's injury is a setback for Chelsea, it could offer Santos the opportunity to step up. A similar scenario occurred with Estevao this season: injuries gave him a creative role, which allowed him to thrive. A consistent run could have the same effect for Santos, enabling him to assert himself and potentially become another Brazilian making an impact at Chelsea.

Garnacho verdict

Manchester United legend Teddy Sheringham is unsure whether Alejandro Garnacho will succeed at Chelsea and believes his decision to leave Old Trafford was unwise. Despite being one of United's most promising talents, Garnacho was sold to Chelsea for £40million this summer following a breakdown in his relationship with manager Ruben Amorim.

Sheringham - who scored 46 goals for United, helping them secure three Premier League titles and the Champions League - believes the youngster might have been better off staying and working to regain Amorim's trust. He also warned that Garnacho may regret departing such a major club so quickly.

"I think Alejandro Garnacho is a very talented player, but only time will tell whether he's able to be a success at Chelsea," the former England striker told Coin Poker. "He made a big move in leaving Manchester United for Chelsea, and it's not one I would have advised him to make if I were a part of his team.

"When you're at United you have to try your utmost to make it work. It is the biggest club in the world, so you won't be leaving for a better club, and the opportunity to come back won't be there, especially with the manner in which he left and the way the fans have reacted to it."

Garnacho has started slowly at Stamford Bridge, failing to register a goal or assist in his first five appearances. However, he showed glimpses of his potential in the win over Liverpool, just days after playing a key role in Chelsea's late winner against Benfica.