Italian coach Enzo Maresca has been named Premier League Manager of the Month for November, capping off an impressive month for Chelsea.
Maresca emerged top of a six-man shortlist after guiding Chelsea to an unbeaten league run in November, winning three of four matches. Supporters helped determine the winner through a public vote, recognising the team’s defensive solidity, which included three clean sheets and just one goal conceded.
Chelsea started the month with a narrow 1-0 win at Tottenham, thanks to Joao Pedro’s decisive finish, followed by a 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers and a 2-0 win against Burnley. The month concluded with a spirited 1-1 draw against league leaders Arsenal, despite playing much of the second half with ten men. With ten points earned and a single goal conceded, Chelsea posted the best defensive and points return of any Premier League side in November.
Maresca beat competition from Mikel Arteta, Unai Emery, Pep Guardiola, Fabian Hurzeler, and Marco Silva to claim the award.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s league clash with Everton, Maresca confirmed that Cole Palmer and Wesley Fofana are available. Palmer, who missed Chelsea’s midweek Champions League trip to Italy, has returned to training. Maresca said: “Cole is okay, he is better, and he is available at the moment. We have one more session this afternoon. Yesterday he finished the session with mixed feelings, but overall he is fine.”
Fofana, who sustained an eye injury during a midweek match, has also been cleared. “He is available, he is fine. He took part in the session yesterday and is completely okay,” Maresca added.
Chelsea will remain without Moises Caicedo, who is serving the final game of his domestic suspension, as well as Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia, and Dario Essugo. They have now been joined by Liam Delap, sidelined with a shoulder injury sustained against Bournemouth. The exact duration of Delap’s absence is uncertain. Maresca noted: “We don’t know yet. It could be two, three, or four weeks. We don’t know exactly how many days he will need.”
