Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has told performance analyst James Melbourne and goalkeeping coach Henrique Hilario to “take their chances” if they are asked to join new England manager Thomas Tuchel’s staff.
Former Chelsea player Hilario has been a coach at the club since 2016, while Melbourne is approaching his 20th year at Stamford Bridge. The pair could be confirmed as England coaches by Saturday, according to The Times.
“I know that one of them has been approached, one of the analysts,” said Maresca, who took over in June and has steered the Blues to fourth in the Premier League.
“The other one, Hilario – I heard something but there has not been an approach yet. We are quite open for people to take their chances.”
All systems go at Cobham.📍 pic.twitter.com/I9HBMvl6lu
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 18, 2024
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Liverpool vs Chelsea: Reece James back
Chelsea visit Liverpool on Sunday in a game that is likely to prove the toughest of Maresca’s reign since their opening 2-0 home defeat against Manchester City.
Liverpool are a point above Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the table and have conceded the fewest goals, kept the most clean sheets and registered the lowest expected goals against figure of any top-flight side.
Captain Reece James could feature for the first time this season after the full-back recovered from a hamstring injury he sustained during pre-season.
“It is a special game,” said Maresca. “Liverpool is a nice environment. We are excited to play this kind of game. Finally, [James] is back.
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— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 18, 2024
“He worked with us all through the international break. Reece’s body cannot play, for instance, twice a week, so one of the solutions is that we are going to try and manage him the same way we are doing with Romeo [Lavia].
“It’s complicated when you get injury, injury, injury. You are always looking for a solution. The solution with Reece is what we are doing with Romeo and Wes[ley Fofana] – using them just in one game a week.”
Chelsea injuries, suspensions, team news
Fofana and Marc Cucurella will miss the game through suspension but Maresca otherwise has a full squad to choose from as he plots a return to winning ways following Chelsea’s 1-1 home draw against Nottingham Forest.
Maresca could become only the fifth manager to win each of his first four away Premier League games. Bobby Gould, John Gregory, Luiz Felipe Scolari and current Liverpool manager Arne Slot are the previous coaches to have achieved the feat.
