Chelsea's attacking options have once again been hit by a disciplinary blow, as Liam Delap picked up a red card against Wolves in midweek. Maresca’s side enter the game on a 3 match away win streak that will seek to continue at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium against their North London rivals.
Chelsea's red card issues
Maresca firstly opened up on Delap’s red card and Chelsea’s disciplinary issues, which have continued since the start of the season.
"I spoke with Liam. He knows everything. He is aware of the situation. Aware he made a mistake. Full stop. No more than that. He apologised straight after in the changing room."
"Some of the red cards we concede, we can avoid, some we can't. It’s something we need to learn, something we have to do better. In the future we’ll be better."
Tottenham's dire home form
Next, he was asked about Tottenham’s poor home form which has seen them take just one point from their last three top-flight games in front of the home supporters.
Tottenham, I think they are doing very good. They finished last season winning the Europa League.
"They started very good this season and also because it's a derby for sure it would be a difficult game."
When will Palmer return?
Chelsea’s star man Cole Palmer is set to return from injury over the next few weeks, and the media asked whether he is still set to return next month.
"I just met him in the canteen for breakfast and I told him, I will say that in one week you are back. He was laughing. Now with Cole, exactly the same plan. Wait and hopefully he can be back soon."
How does Maresca want Delap to play?
Questions turned back to Delap and if Maresca has been happy with his progress so far as he struggles to get into the side.
"Probably because I'm not from England, so sometimes when I try to translate from Italian to English sometimes it's a bit different.
"Liam when he's inside the pitch is more focused to do his battle against the central defender than the rest. This was what I was telling, what I was trying to say after that game."
"When asked if that is how he wants his attack to play, he responded: There are two players in this team, three players in this team, that I know them better than the rest. Romeo Lavia, Cole Palmer and Liam Delap because I know them from the Under-21s (at Manchester City), four years ago.
"So I know Liam always and I know that Liam will be a fantastic player for us but there are some things like the rest that he needs to improve."
Are Chelsea working on set pieces?
Finally, the Italian head coach revealed that his side are working on long throws and set pieces, much like league leaders Arsenal, who have found immense success with their well worked corners and free kicks.
"Yeah, and then we are working on that. For sure we are working. For sure.
"I think that set-pieces you are going to score goals and you are going to concede goals. The reason why because if we say that when we concede we are not strong enough. I think set-pieces there are teams that they score more goals less goals but at the end set-pieces you are going to score and concede goals because there are actions that are so difficult to defend."