Enzo Maresca has hailed Josh Acheampang as Chelsea's next 'top defender' but still refuses to use him. The Blues have a right-back problem. Despite a summer of lavish spending, Chelsea currently find themselves short on options for the right side of their defence.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed his belief that players are offered no protection by the football calendar and added that players voicing their concerns over the number of games they play is "a good starting point.

Chelsea are not in that competition, but do play in the Conference League this term and have the added complication of having qualified for Fifa’s new Club World Cup next summer. The result is that a season which began on August 18 may not finish until July 15 next year and Maresca says there is “no doubt” players are being asked to play too many games.