Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca defended his charges ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match at Leicester City.

The Blues will go to the King Power Stadium in third place in the standings after 11 games, having lost only to Manchester City and Liverpool.

Chelsea have scored just two goals short of 23, their most this season, and with their attractive style of play pose a major threat in the final third of the game.

However, the criticism was directed at the defence, not helped by the mistakes made by Robert Sanchez or any of the outfield players when trying to play from behind.

Maresca has always reacted strongly to any negative comments about this aspect of Chelsea’s play and has taken responsibility for any mistakes that have been made.

“This is not PlayStation
Only five teams – Liverpool, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Arsenal and Manchester United – have conceded fewer goals than Chelsea (13) in 11 games.

In addition, Chelsea have yet to score more than two goals in a single game in 18 matches in all competitions, despite keeping only five clean sheets.

At Thursday’s press conference, Maresca doubled down on his opinion that Chelsea are solid defensively.

The Italian told reporters: ‘It was more than obvious at this moment in time that the club are in the game: ‘We can attack better and defend better. There are only four or five clubs in the Premier League that have scored less goals than us.

“If people think we’re not going to score, it’s PlayStation and not football.

“In the end we will score. I don’t know why people think we defend badly.”

James Blow
At the start of the meeting with reporters, Maresca revealed that Reece James will miss the East Midlands game with another thigh muscle injury.

The little Gusto will start at right-back as he recovers from the ankle knock he suffered against Arsenal before the international break.

Maresca returns to Leicester for the first time since he led the Foxes to the 2023-24 title. The 44-year-old insists his time at the club could put Chelsea at a disadvantage.