Chelsea are focused on attacking reinforcements, namely RB Leipzig’s Xavi Simons and Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho, but could be forced to rethink their plans after Maresca’s brutal message.

The Crystal Palace captain has been linked with the likes of Newcastle United and Liverpool during that time, but there have also been persistent talks of a potential return to Chelsea, where the central defender had been since 2007 before his departure to the Eagles in July 2021.

Enzo Maresca says he is happy with keeping a clean sheet in a "tough game" against but expects his side to do better with more games under their belt as Chelsea's Premier League opener against Crystal Palace ends in a 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge.

Eberechi Eze is set to start for Crystal Palace against Chelsea, despite suggestions he would be dropped ahead of a potential move to Tottenham.

Oliver Glasner has praised Eze's professionalism but offered no guarantees he would remain at the club beyond the September 1 deadline.

Eze thought he had broken the deadlock inside the opening quarter of an hour, scoring a free-kick from just outside the Blues' box. The England international rifled the ball past