ENZO Maresca explained Jadon Sancho’s absence from the side for the last two games ahead of Chelsea’s last-sixteen EFL Cup clash against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Wednesday.
Sancho was taken off at half-time in the Blues’ 2-1 defeat to Liverpool before being an unused substitute in the 4-1 win against Panathinaikos and the 2-1 victory over the Magpies on Sunday.
Maresca was asked about the on-loan Manchester United winger in his pre-match press conference.
“Jadon is doing well since he arrived with us,” Maresca said. “For sure, he cannot maintain the same level all season because the amount of games is huge. So the last two games he didn’t play, not for any different reason, but just for a tactical and technical decision – no more than that.
“For sure, because of the amount of games, he is going to play many games and the only thing he has to do is to continue to work hard. When we give him the chance, take it.”
Captain Reece James completed 90 minutes for the first time this season against Newcastle.
“He played two games in a row with us in the Premier League – against Liverpool and Newcastle – and in both games he was very good,” Maresca said. “It didn’t surprise me because I know him and how important he is for us, for his team-mates, for the club.
“So the only thing we want is to do is keep him fit and this is the main target for him.”
Maresca added: ‘‘There are no injuries, so everything is fine.
“It will be a tough game and of course we have concerns about the opposition like we do for each fixture, but we played two days ago so we know what they are like.
“We will see how today’s training session goes and then we will make a decision on who plays.”