'It's important to get minutes and use every training session'

Enzo Maresca gave a balanced assessment of Chelsea's performance in the 2-2 draw with Wrexham, saying: "We started just two weeks ago.

"It's important that us as the staff and the people can start to see the identity of the team.

"Tonight it was quite clear. For sure, we are going to add more solutions."

In the first half, Chelsea used Reece James as an inverted full-back, pushing into midfield.

Maresca added: "We tried to build with three and two - first half with James inside, and second half with Malo [Gusto] inside.

"It does not matter about the level of the opposition. When they sit back with 11 players behind the ball, it's always difficult to find space and solutions are not easy."

There were appearances for Wesley Fofana, who missed the entire 2023-24 campaign with a long-term injury, and Romeo Lavia, who managed just 32 minutes last season.

Maresca said: "They are both very important. It is important to get minutes, to use every training session. After a year without getting minutes, it is difficult mentally. They need a boost, energy - and 45 minutes is going to help both of them.

"The result for us is always important but, in this moment, also we need to judge different things."