Enzo Maresca explains shocking Chelsea team news for Brentford clash

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca revealed that Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson were left out of the starting XI against Brentford on Sunday in an attempt at load management.

The two prolific forwards have either scored or created 30 of Chelsea's 54 Premier League goals this season and weren't the only significant figures among the substitutes. Marc Cucurella, Pedro Neto and Levi Colwill also found themselves on a menacing bench this weekend.

When Maresca was originally quizzed about these five high-profile changes, he attempted to deflect the question. "It's just the game plan," the Italian tactician shrugged. "The ones that are going to start I think are going to be the right ones."

The pre-match interviewer offered Maresca the excuse that Chelsea were facing a quick turnaround from their last fixture. All five players had started the 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday evening.

Maresca agreed with that reasoning. "Also for that," he nodded, "also because we have players back from injury, so two games in 48-72 hours is not the best thing to do after a long time [out] and we try to manage it a little bit."

Jackson had spent the previous two months sidelined with a hamstring issue before making his long-awaited return against Spurs. The direct forward's penetrative runs in behind Tottenham's defence almost afforded Chelsea a goal inside the opening 60 seconds and his influence was key to a much-improved performance.

Palmer is also recovering from a fitness setback. Chelsea's talismanic figure missed his first game of the season in the club's previous away fixture - a limp 1-0 defeat to Arsenal in March. The 22-year-old only returned to training a few days before the clash with Tottenham after sitting out England's matches during the international break.

Yet, the sight of Palmer starting a Premier League game among Chelsea's substitutes is incredibly rare. Since making his first top-flight start for the club, the prolific playmaker has only once before watched on from the bench - and that was back in December 2023.

Chelsea starting XI vs Brentford

(4-2-3-1): Robert Sanchez; Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, Trevoh Chalobah, Malo Gusto; Moises Caicedo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall; Noni Madueke, Enzo Fernandez, Jadon Sancho; Christopher Nkunku.

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