'Even Postecoglou used a back five against Chelsea'

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca tells his players "every day" to improve at facing low defences in back-five formations after being shocked by Premier League managers this season.

The Italian gave a humorous anecdote involving Ange Postecoglou and said Sunderland's switch to a back five surprised Chelsea in their defeat on Saturday.

When asked why opponents keep using a back five against his Blues side, Maresca replied: "When we have difficulties, we like to analyse."

Maresca added Chelsea have beaten back fives against Leicester, Wolves, West Ham and Everton, but recently his side needs to "do better", explaining: "I'm telling the players every day that, now, teams - probably because of what we achieved last season - have changed their approach against us.

"Sunderland played nine league games and they never used a back five from the start. Never. I watched them all, so we prepared for Sunderland with a back four.

"In the dressing room before the match, I told the players: 'Guys, throw all of the Sunderland preparation in the bin.' It's so difficult to change plan in just 10 minutes."

He added that a chance meeting with Postecoglou highlighted the issue: "Before Ange took over at Nottingham Forest, we spoke at the LMA awards in London.

"I said: 'Ange, I've never seen your team use a back five - except for the last 10 minutes of the Europa League final against Manchester United.

"He laughed and said: 'I hate using a back five, but, as it was the last 10 minutes and we needed to win the trophy, we did.' Then we played Forest - it was a back five, and I had prepared for a back four!

"I again told the team that everything goes straight in the bin because it was a back five. This is tough for players."