Maresca says Chelsea can rely on fitness of James and Lavia

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca hopes he can rely on the fitness of Reece James and Romeo Lavia, following lay-offs for both players.

James started his first match since early November in Chelsea’s 5-0 victory over Morecambe in the FA Cup third round on Saturday alongside Lavia, but both were limited to just 45 minutes before their planned withdrawals.

The match was only James’ fifth appearance in all competitions this season, while Lavia had not played since coming off at half-time in Chelsea’s 4-3 victory over Tottenham in December.

“The idea is to slowly build the right condition,” said Maresca.

“Especially for Reece, we have to be a bit more careful. The good thing is they both played 45 minutes and finished well without any problems. We can start to help them and bring the right condition.”

Both players have struggled for fitness over the last two seasons, with James having made just 11 appearances in all competitions in 2023-24 to go with his five this campaign.

Lavia, meanwhile, has played just 11 times this term, while his only appearance last season was as a substitute in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on 27 December.

Hosting Bournemouth in the #PL tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/dQGG143N6F

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 13, 2025

Despite the limited gametime for both players, Maresca says they could be involved when Bournemouth visit Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Tuesday.

“They are both okay and we are happy with that,” he said. “It is good that players can get minutes and they can be ready for any games when we need them.

“We are already thinking about Tuesday’s game and we will prepare.”

Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola, meanwhile, is battling injury issues of his own, with forwards Evanilson and Enes Unal both long-term absentees.

Iraola is hoping the Cherries will be active in the transfer window to plug the gap, but is also appreciative that it will not be easy to find a Premier League-ready striker.

“I know that they are looking at options in the market, players that probably can come on loan and help us in this period that we will be without our strikers, but I don’t know how much it will take,” he said.

“It’s not easy, the winter market. The strikers are also a special position. You never want to lose a number nine in the winter market.

“So it’s not easy in this market to sign a number nine. But I know that the club is analysing everything. Everything has been very quick because we were in a great position.

“I was very happy with both strikers one week ago and it was probably, I don’t know if it was our best position, but we were very comfortable.

“But football is like this. It’s two situations that have happened and we will have to adapt.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chelsea – Cole Palmer

Palmer has been involved in 19 Premier League goals this season (13G 6A), second only to Mohamed Salah (31).

The last Chelsea player to register 20+ goals and assists in consecutive campaigns was Eden Hazard, who did so in his first three seasons with the club (2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15).

Palmer has also created more chances than any other player in the Premier League this season (57), while he is also the only player to have created 10+ chances for two different team-mates (15 for Noni Madueke, 11 for Nicolas Jackson).

Bournemouth – Antoine Semenyo

Semenyo has recorded more shots and chances created combined following a ball carry than any other player in the Premier League this term (43 – 27 shots, 16 chances created).

He scored in Bournemouth’s 5-1 victory over Championship side West Brom in the FA Cup third round on Saturday and is now on six goals in all competitions this term.

MATCH PREDICTION: CHELSEA WIN

Chelsea come into this Premier League match unbeaten in their last six games against Bournemouth (W4 D2).

Enzo Maresca’s side have won 10 of their 15 home games in all competitions this season (D3 L2), including four of their last five.

While the hosts were beaten 2-1 by Fulham in their last league match at Stamford Bridge, that is their only home league defeat since the opening day of the season, against Manchester City.

Bournemouth were beaten 1-0 by Chelsea at the Vitality Stadium in September, while a 2-0 victory at home to Arsenal is their only win against sides currently in the top four this term.

They have also scored just 30 goals from an xG (expected goals) total of 39.9 this season, which is the worst underperformance of any Premier League team. Given their newfound striking issues, Chelsea are heavy favourites.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chelsea – 56%

Draw – 21.4%

Bournemouth – 22.6%