BREAKING NEWS: “Enzo Maresca’s Complete Comments on Chelsea vs. Manchester City, Conor Gallagher’s Transfer, and Pep Guardiola.”
Here is a detailed paraphrase with spaced formatting:
Enzo Maresca spoke to the media on Friday evening ahead of Chelsea’s second-to-last match of their pre-season tour in the United States.
Chelsea secured their first victory of the tour on Wednesday night with a comfortable 3-0 win over Club America in Atlanta. The team then traveled to Columbus on Friday, preparing for their upcoming match against Premier League champions Manchester City this weekend.
As Maresca previously worked with Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, he was naturally asked several questions about his former team. Here is a summary of what the Chelsea head coach had to say:
What are you aiming for in the match against Manchester City?
“The goal is to keep implementing the tactics we’ve been working on since day one. We want to continue improving each day.”
What is the latest update on Conor Gallagher?
“All I know is that he is in discussions with the club to reach a solution. The club has offered him a new contract.
“That’s the only update I have at the moment. I prefer to stay focused on our current work and upcoming games, including this match and the one against Real Madrid. My main priority is to concentrate on the team and the matches we have.”
If Gallagher returns to Cobham, will he train with the first team?
“There is no new update on that. The only information I have is that Gallagher is in touch with the club to find a resolution. This is a common situation in football, where clubs face issues with players every summer, and eventually, a solution is found that makes everyone happy. Hopefully, we can achieve the same outcome here.”
Do you envision Gallagher playing for your team?
“The current squad includes players who, if they are part of the team, I will do my best to integrate them and help them understand our playing style. As long as a player is in the squad, I have no issues with including them.”
Would you like Gallagher to be part of the squad once the transfer window closes?
“I would like to have all players available. If you asked any other manager, they would say the same. Until the transfer window is closed, anything can happen regarding bringing in or selling players. It’s always possible for changes to occur until the very last day.”
Who decides whether Gallagher stays or goes?
“The primary focus right now for the club, Conor, and myself is to find a solution. That is the main objective. Once a solution is reached, everyone will be satisfied. Until then, it’s difficult to determine the best outcome. My focus remains on today’s training session and tomorrow’s game, which is the most important thing for me.”
How do you feel about being compared to Pep Guardiola?
“I’ve mentioned before that while I might wish for long hair and blue eyes, it’s not something I dwell on. The comparisons are something people make, but they don’t concern me.”
What are the key differences between you and Pep Guardiola?
“He is the best in the world, and I am just another manager. That’s the significant difference.”
Have you had challenging conversations with players about their futures?
“Currently, it’s Chelsea, but other clubs, like City last week with Julian Alvarez or Liverpool, face similar issues. It’s a common occurrence every summer, with players wanting to stay or move. Eventually, solutions are found, and it’s the same with Conor Gallagher.”
Will Reece James play tomorrow?
“Probably yes, but we’ll see. He is suspended, so we need to manage without him.”
How do you assess the overall progress so far?
“We are definitely improving. With so many games, our focus is on each match, using them as training sessions to target areas for improvement.”