Every word Maresca said on Cole Palmer return, Joao Pedro concerns, Brentford blow

Enzo Maresca during Chelsea's 2-2 draw with Brentford (Image: Chris Lee - Chelsea FC)

Enzo Maresca has just completed his post-match press conference following Chelsea's draw away at Brentford this evening.

The Blues looked to have won it with Cole Palmer inspiring a second-half fightback. Palmer scored to cancel out Kevin Schade's opener, moments after coming onto the pitch at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Moises Caicedo then put the visitors ahead with a fabulous strike and that looked to be enough for Chelsea. Fabio Carvalho, however, equalised on 93 minutes to ensure the points were shared.

Maresca has just finished speaking to the press to reflect on his side getting a point this evening. Below is the full transcript from Maresca:

Do you think that was a match that was massively impacted by substitutes?

For sure, we were much, much better in the second half. For different reasons, we struggled in the first half. In the second half, we scored twice, so we could have scored more. But unfortunately, we lost two points in the last two or three minutes.

What did you feel about your team selection?

No, we planned 45 minutes for Wes [Fofana], because he was a long time out. We planned not all the game for Jorrel [Hato], because we said already many times, when you arrive from another country, you need time to adapt. Facundo joined us two weeks ago. Physicality also is not 100%. But we needed to manage different situations, like Estevao that was out.

Joao Pedro also was not 100%, but he did the effort to play for part of the game. And as I said, probably in the second half, we were much better.

How disappointing was it not only to lose what you thought was going to be three points so late on, but also that that came from a long throw-in?

The problem is that they have Kayode, they have Jensen, they have Pinnock, and then Schade at the end. These three players, they were already out. The only one on the pitch was Schade. And unfortunately, we just conceded in the last two minutes. But during the game, I think we tried to deal with that, knowing that they are so dangerous, because they can arrive in the six-yard box very easily.

Do you think, on balance, you did enough to win the game today?

I think so, yeah. I think in the second half, we scored twice. We could have scored two or three more goals. Cole had a chance, Pedro [Neto] had a chance. So I think we did enough. Unfortunately, we lost two points just in the last two or three minutes.

What is the most important lesson for your team?

For sure, in the moment that we score the second one, we have to manage better. We scored, I think, 8/86 minutes, and in that moment, you need to give passes. You need to slow down. You need to slow a little bit the game. Something that we didn't do. And it's something that we need to improve on. We need to learn.

Can I just ask, what do you think of any offside over the winning goal?

I didn't watch back. I asked in the changing room to my coaching staff why the VAR reviewed the second goal. I didn't watch back, to be honest. I don't know.

Why was Marc Guiu not in the squad? What is his role in the squad?

Marc is a striker. We know him from last year. He spent all season with us. But in this moment, one of them was out from the squad. I think I also thought to give Ty [George] a little bit more confidence because he did well against Fulham. He did quite well. Tonight, again, when he was on, he was okay. But the season is so long that for sure, Marc is going to find space.

Joao Pedro's best position?

I think it's when we face teams that are low block like tonight, I think having a proper No.9 and Joao in behind in the way we play West Ham with Liam [Delap] and Joao and in the way we start against Fulham with Liam and Joao is the perfect situation for Joao.

Pre-match, did you have one eye on the Bayern Munich game?

No, no, no, no, absolutely [not]. Joao Pedro, before the game, asked me that he was not fit 100%, better [that he] doesn't play. And so if I was thinking about Bayern Munich, Joao was on the bench. But Joao played because the focus was about tonight. But for sure, when you have so many games, you have to plan a different option.

For instance, Reece James played two games with the international team. So play tonight and thinking on Wednesday. So it's not, our focus was about tonight. And the reason why is because if this season we play Champions League, it's because we did well in the Premier League. And if we want to play again Champions League next season, we need to do well in the Premier League.

Was Cole Palmer desperate to start?

No, absolutely. But Cole was not fit to play from the start. It's quite easy. It's from the medical staff. It's from the player. It's from when we take a decision with an injured player. It's always from all of us. So when Cole is fit, we are very, very happy.