Estevao Willian absence vs Brentford explained as Enzo Maresca handed Chelsea blow

Estevao Willian misses the Brentford clash owing to illness. (Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA)

Estevao was one of four Chelsea players who returned from the international break late. He, Joao Pedro and Andrey Santos only managed to squeeze in a recovery session at Cobham on Thursday, while Moises Caicedo didn't touch down in the United Kingdom until the evening .

Speaking to reporters at Cobham on Friday, Maresca described the South American contingent as 'question marks' for the trip to the G-Tech Community Stadium. The Blues boss also called Brentford 'tough' opposition.

Chelsea have drawn each of their last three games at the G-Tech Community Stadium, with two of which ending goalless. And, since the Bees were promoted to the Premier League in 2021, the Blues have only managed to beat them three times across all competitions.

"It was last year, as you said, in both games," said Maresca. "But the Premier League is the best league in the world, probably for that, because against any club it's always tough.

"We play three games, Palace are doing fantastic, Fulham, West Ham, it's always difficult. So tomorrow I expect exactly the same."

On starting the season with four straight London derbies, Maresca added: "To be honest, the last time we played, I think, West Ham away was two hours and a half bus [laughs].

"I don't think so, to be honest, at the end. I don't think so. They are all derbies, but I don't think that makes a big difference."

With Estevao ruled out, Maresca turned to Facundo Buonanotte, who Chelsea signed on loan from Brighton on deadline day. Before the Brentford game, the Blues boss heaped praise on the 20-year-old attacking midfielder.

"Buonanotte is a good player," said Maresca. "I know him because he was in Leicester and I was there, so I have some contact there. He's a player that can help us. We have so many competitions, so many games, that for sure he's going to play games for us."

Reece James, who started each of England's World Cup qualifiers over the international break, remained on the bench for Chelsea. On the Blues skipper, Maresca said: "In the moment that any player joins the international team, it's free to play the minutes that the manager thinks that he has to play, so it's not in my hands.

"When Reece is here we try to manage him as much as we can. Since I joined the club I'm doing that with him, with Romeo [Lavia], with Wes [Fofana], with the ones that in the past they had problems, but I think now Reece is showing that he's quite fit to play two, three games in a week."