Chelsea’s Grueling Travel Schedule: Enzo Maresca Calls Demands “Not Normal”

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has voiced his frustration over the intense demands placed on his team ahead of their grueling 16-hour round trip to Kazakhstan for a Conference League clash against Astana, followed by a Premier League fixture against Brentford just three days later.

Maresca described the logistics as “not normal,” emphasizing the strain it puts on players.

The Blues are set to embark on an eight-hour flight to Almaty, where the game will be held due to renovations at Astana’s home stadium.

This 3,700-mile journey each way will have Chelsea returning to London early Friday morning, leaving limited time to prepare for Sunday’s 7 PM showdown with Brentford.

“An eight-hour flight one way isn’t normal for a game,” Maresca admitted. “But we have to go, play, and give it our best while also preparing for the next match.”

Challenges Beyond Travel
The trip is further complicated by a non-direct flight path to avoid conflict zones and freezing temperatures in Almaty, which are expected to dip as low as -11°C.

Chelsea plans to remain on UK time during their 18-hour stay to minimize jet lag.

Rotating the Squad
To combat fatigue, Maresca has rested several key players, including Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto, the latter suspended for the Brentford game.

Promising youngsters such as Ato Ampah, Harrison McMahon, and Josh Acheampong, who is close to signing a new contract, have been included in the traveling squad.

Meanwhile, stars like Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia, Wesley Fofana, and Ben Chilwell are unavailable due to their non-registration for the Conference League.

“The players not traveling will train hard because we might still need them on Sunday,” Maresca said. “We’d prefer not to rely on those playing Thursday, but they’ll step up if necessary.”

Braving the Cold
Axel Disasi, a confirmed starter for the Astana fixture, acknowledged the tough conditions but remains optimistic.

“We’ll wear extra gloves and focus on competing in the cold. It’s tough with the flight and freezing weather, but we’re ready to fight and keep our top spot,” Disasi stated.

Premier League Adjustments
Acknowledging Chelsea’s demanding schedule, the Premier League has shifted the Brentford match to a later kick-off, allowing the team more recovery time.

Despite these challenges, Chelsea remains second in the Premier League, just four points behind Liverpool.

The Blues aim to maintain their strong form and adapt to the difficulties posed by their travels.