Maresca content with business despite streamlining of Chelsea squad

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca insists he is happy with the club’s business in the mid-season transfer window despite a lack of major incomings at Stamford Bridge.

Midfielder Mathis Amougou was the only signing the club made in January, while Joao Felix, Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga and Axel Disasi were let go, with efforts made to streamline Maresca’s squad.

Recent injuries sustained by Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu may raise further questions as to why Chelsea didn’t pursue an attacker, though.

Chelsea were linked with Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, but Maresca has no regrets about how the club dealt with the window and believes he can find solutions within his group.

“I said after the West Ham game the things that we planned, in terms of players that had the desire to leave and the players that we needed," said Maresca.

"In the end, I think we did all the things we needed. Before the last game, we had two strikers, Nico and Marc.

"Sometimes we adapt also Christopher [Nkunku] there, but in case both of them are out, we are going to find a different solution."

Joao Felix’s loan move to AC Milan and the current injury situation up front could lead to more opportunities for Nkunku, with Maresca confirming the Frenchman will receive minutes going forward.

He said: "I spoke already last week about Christo.

"Against West Ham, he played already more or less half an hour. From now on, he can hopefully get some more minutes and help us."