Enzo Maresca confesses Chelsea mistake at Leeds United in Bournemouth team selection hint

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has admitted that he made a mistake in not fielding Josh Acheampong against Leeds United on Wednesday evening as he looks ahead to this weekend’s clash with AFC Bournemouth.

The Blues’ recent run of impressive results ended with a 3-1 defeat to the Whites as the relegation threatened side pulled off a head-turning win. The Leeds United forwards bullied the Chelsea back line of Marc Cucurella, Benoit Badiashile, Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah, the latter in an unconventional full-back role.

Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, former Premier League defender Gary Neville said: “It's a nightmare for Maresca and a dream for Leeds. They've kept pushing, they've always been a threat

Chelsea defence ‘beaten up’ by Leeds United

“Chelsea have given them encouragement after encouragement after encouragement. The centre-backs have been sloppy all night. I'm not sure if Gusto's pass to Chalobah is the right one, you just have to welly it up the pitch. What are you doing trying to control it and play it back in there? And Sanchez… it is difficult for him.

“That front two for Leeds have beaten Chelsea up for 72 minutes. What a mess. Chelsea's defenders have been poor on the ball all night, playing it into their own six yard box to each other.”

Maresca has reflected on how he set up his team at Elland Road in his pre-match press conference ahead of travelling to the Vitality Stadium. In particular, the Chelsea boss lamented not playing 18-year-old Acheampong.

Enzo Maresca admits team selection mistake

The teenager has impressed when given a chance in the starting XI due to injuries to teammates but has not been given any minutes since the end of October. Maresca said: "One of the regrets I have after the game is that I didn't play with Josh.

"The reason why we played with Trevoh [Chalobah], Benoit [Badiashille] and Tosin [Adarabioyo] was because we saw long balls to their strikers, but even [with] that, we lost most of them."

Maresca went on to predict a similar tactical approach from Bournemouth this weekend, which could point to a start for Acheampong. The centre-back helped the Blues to clean sheets in two of his five top flight outings this season, against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.

The Chelsea boss explained: “Bournemouth will be a similar game to Leeds, that is why we need to be better. Leeds was very intense and were better than us in all the aspects. Hopefully we can learn from that and be better tomorrow.”

In other news, AFC Bournemouth vs Chelsea latest injury news as 6 ruled out and 3 more suspended.