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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Maresca slammed for poor team selection against Brentford</li><li>Palmer and Jackson did not start</li><li>Blues were held to a goalless draw</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Enzo Maresca slammed for 'pathetic' team selection against Brentford as Chelsea boss is told Champions League qualification is 'be all and end all' at Stamford Bridge

Premier League

Fulham

Chelsea

Nottingham Forest

Brentford

<p>The attacking pair of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/explained-cole-palmer-nicolas-jackson-dropped-chelsea-premier-league-derby-date-west-london-neighbours-brentford/blt508b435947323c53#cs2d8358baa24a016e" target="_blank">Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer were missing from Maresca's starting lineup</a> last Saturday as the Blues took the field in the Premier League. While both players were introduced in the second half, Chelsea failed to break the deadlock as <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/chelsea-player-ratings-vs-brentford-blues-striker-jadon-sancho-christopher-nkunku-draw/blt94e8f249ca916416" target="_blank">they were held to a goalless draw</a>. Maresca's strange team selection did not go down well with ex-Arsenal star Merson, as he slammed the Italian coach for prioritising the Europa Conference League over Champions League qualification.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>In his column for <a href="https://www.skysports.com/football/news/15205/13344401/enzo-marescas-chelsea-team-selection-at-brentford-was-pathetic-says-paul-merson-as-blues-boss-accused-of-using-europa-conference-league-as-safety-net" target="_blank"><em>Sky Sports</em></a>, the 57-year-old wrote: "I couldn't believe the team Enzo Maresca put out at Brentford. When that team came out, I was flabbergasted. It was pathetic. Chelsea have won the Champions League. This is the Europa Conference League - and he's resting players for it? Getting into the Champions League has to be the be all and end all. They have to be in it. If they come sixth in the Premier League and win the Europa Conference League, it would be a shocker. A shocker.</p><p>"This is Legia Warsaw, no disrespect to them but they won't beat Chelsea over two legs. You have to beat Brentford. If they had won that game, then beat Ipswich at the weekend, they would have Champions League football in their hands with six games to go. And then look at what happened when those subs like Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson came on. They dominated Brentford. But now, they are right up against it. Chelsea might have to finish ahead of Manchester City to qualify for the Champions League, in an era when every team that finished ahead of City won the Premier League."</p>

WHAT PAUL MERSON SAID

<p>Merson added: "Maresca won't win me over until the end of May. People tell me that Chelsea are doing well, but they've got one of the biggest squads in the world and they aren't even close to winning the Premier League. Man City and Arsenal have dominated the Premier League the last two years and Chelsea are a million points off the title in the year they drop off. And these players are going to be together for the next six or seven years because of their contracts. </p><p>"It's madness, absolutely madness. Six big-money players are currently out on loan because they aren't playing so it might be an absolute disaster if they do not get Champions League football next season. And winning the Conference League? Come on. There are two or three teams in this competition that I've never even heard of. I went to Stamford Bridge and watched them play FC Noah!"</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>The West London club are scheduled to face Legia Warsaw on Thursday away from home in the first leg of their Conference League quarter-final fixture.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?

Enzo Maresca slammed for 'pathetic' team selection against Brentford as Chelsea boss is told Champions League qualification is 'be all and end all' at Stamford Bridge | Goal.com

Former England star Paul Merson has slammed Enzo Maresca for benching key players in Chelsea&apos;s goalless draw against Brentford.

Enzo Maresca slammed for &apos;pathetic&apos; team selection against Brentford as Chelsea boss is told Champions League qualification is &apos;be all and end all&apos; at Stamford Bridge

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