Maresca emphasizes physicality, versatility in praise of Casadei, Veiga

Yesterday at 07:48 PM

Filling needs

Chelsea's B Squad got the job done last night (Thursday) in the opening league phase game of the UEFA Conference League, hitting Belgian top division side KAA Gent for four and never looking too threatened throughout the 90 minutes.

Head coach Enzo Maresca wasn't too pleased with the two careless goals given up, but it's tough to complain too much when you win so emphatically once again.

"We are performing not only in attack but defensively very well. We are happy. I need to repeat always the same: For sure, we can do many, many things better — we can attack better and defend better. Tonight probably the most important thing we can learn is even if we are 4-1 [up], even to the final whistle you have to switch on, you cannot switch off.

"I think we conceded the second goal just because we saw the game was already finished. I think if we want to be one step forward, even when you are 4-1 and the game is almost finished, you need to continue and not concede another goal. We are really happy with the performance. We approached it very well. These games are never easy. So I am very happy with the performance and the result."

Maresca was asked specifically about the performances of young Cesare Casadei and Renato Veiga, two rather unheralded players in the first-team squad, but who have played key roles whenever they have started games so far this season.

This was only Casadei's second start and appearance overall, but he did play for Maresca on loan at Leicester City last season, so the adjustment for him probably wasn't so big. Then again, he's being player in a slightly different role, apparently, and making good use of his physicality not just his on-the-ball skills.

"Cesare played very good against Barrow and even better tonight. I am very happy with the way he is playing. I had Cesare last year and he was playing a little bit in different position.

"This year, we are using him like a holding midfielder. The reason why is because I think we go in the direction where the middle you need physical players. Cesare is very big, physically strong and helps us when we want to press. On the ball, he is improving a lot. Tonight he played one touch, so we are very happy. For him, it's the same as the rest; many things he can do better but he is in the right direction."

The theme of versatility and physicality continued when Maresca was asked about Veiga, who has had a much bigger role than anyone might have imagined when he was (seemingly) randomly signed from FC Basel this summer.

The 21-year-old has started every B Squad match and has failed to feature in just two of our first ten games overall. He may be a bit wild and very raw still in certain aspects, but those two qualities are getting him minutes and, in turn, he's giving us key contributions (including his first goal).

"It's similar to Cesare Casadei in terms of physicality. He is tall, he is big. Tonight he played like an attacking midfielder, in the pocket for the first time of the season for us. He did very well. You never imagine Renato arriving in the box and scoring from the other side. That means he is doing well.

"When we needed him as a holding midfielder against Bournemouth, he was there. The other day against Brighton, as a full-back. He is versatile. Tonight he was playing like an attacking midfielder but overall I think he did well."

-Enzo Maresca; source: Football.London

The idea of big, tall, strong players isn't exactly revolutionary and Maresca himself has mentioned it a few times this season already as well. ("Today if you want to compete, you have to find the right balance between the technical side and the physical side," he said before the Bournemouth match last month, for example.) And the same goes for versatile players who can not only fill in but be effective contributors in multiple positions.

But just like with his tactics and man-management, it's about applying the theory in the right places at the right times. And Maresca keeps pressing the right buttons, right now.