Enzo Maresca has assured Chelsea fans that Jadon Sancho and Mikhailo Mudryk will see more playing time in the upcoming weeks. This follows their impressive performances in a 2-0 victory over Heidenheim.
Sancho was instrumental in both goals, assisting Christopher Nkunku for the first and setting up Mudryk for the second, securing Chelsea’s fourth win in the competition.
Despite their contributions, neither Sancho nor Mudryk has been regular starters in the Premier League. Maresca has been rotating his squad between league matches and other competitions. Sancho has only played 312 minutes in the league this season, while Mudryk has seen just 146 minutes across seven appearances. However, Mudryk has been effective in the Europa Conference League with three goals and three assists.
As the busy festive period approaches, Maresca plans to give both players more opportunities on the field. “I said since we started, Jadon is very important for us,” Maresca stated at a news conference. “He has to be fit, mentally and physically and he is going to help us a lot.” He acknowledged that Sancho’s quality is crucial against defensive teams.
Maresca also highlighted Mudryk’s importance: “He’s one of the players I just mentioned. It’s difficult to find players tonight that didn’t play well.” He emphasised that all players must seize their chances when they arise, as everyone wants more playing time and deserves it due to their hard work.
Chelsea currently leads their competition group and is close to reaching the last 16. Maresca praised his team’s mentality for maintaining a perfect record so far. “It was a very good challenge for all the aspects,” he noted, acknowledging their opponents’ high pressing and intensity but stressing the importance of readiness.
Looking ahead, Maresca plans to distribute playing time among his squad due to the packed schedule. “We are going to share minutes in the next games because we have so many games and it’s the normal thing to do,” he explained. This strategy aims to keep players fresh and ready for challenges ahead.
The manager’s approach reflects his belief in utilising every player’s potential during this demanding period. By rotating his squad effectively, Maresca hopes to maintain Chelsea’s strong performance across all competitions while ensuring key players like Sancho and Mudryk contribute significantly when called upon.