{"id":109295,"date":"2025-05-17T15:04:18","date_gmt":"2025-05-17T15:04:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/109295\/"},"modified":"2025-05-17T15:04:18","modified_gmt":"2025-05-17T15:04:18","slug":"absolutely-enzo-maresca-says-hes-certain-of-one-thing-after-tyrique-georges-performance-in-chelsea-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/109295\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Absolutely’\u2026 Enzo Maresca says he’s certain of one thing after Tyrique George’s performance in Chelsea win"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chelsea will go into the final day of the Premier League season with their destiny in their own hands as they bid to seal Champions League qualification.<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Friday night, the Blues<\/a> secured an important 1-0 win at home against Manchester United in their penultimate fixture of the league season.<\/p>\n

Chelsea have moved up to fourth in the league table after beating Man Utd. As a result, they\u2019ll travel to Nottingham Forest on the final day of the Premier League knowing a win will guarantee them a top-five finish.<\/p>\n

Yet again, Marc Cucurella popped up with an important goal this campaign, as his header clinched three points against Man Utd.<\/p>\n

The biggest challenge for Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca<\/a> was that he had to find a solution in attack without suspended centre-forward Nicolas Jackson. Incidentally, Chelsea\u2019s hierarchy are backing Nicolas Jackson<\/a> and have drawn a line in the sand after his red card against Newcastle United.<\/p>\n

Blues youngster Tyrique George<\/a>, 19, stepped up against Man Utd to play at striker in his first Premier League start.<\/p>\n

\"PhotoPhoto by Darren Walsh\/Chelsea FC via Getty ImagesEnzo Maresca prepared to start Tyrique George at striker again<\/p>\n

Following Chelsea\u2019s success against Man Utd, Maresca reserved some special praise for Blues youngster George after his contribution in attack.<\/p>\n

Even though the 19-year-old academy graduate has had some first-team minutes at centre-forward, he\u2019s a skilful winger by trade. It was a challenging night for him facing three experienced Man Utd centre-backs. <\/p>\n

Interestingly, Maresca is certain that George is a good option to lead the line again next Sunday against Forest.<\/p>\n

When asked about George\u2019s performance against Man Utd, Maresca said via Football.London<\/a>: \u201cVery good. Very good. Brave. He was a threat in behind. Not easy for him because on the other side you have [Harry] Maguire, you have [Victor[ Lindelof, you have [Luke] Shaw. He was fighting against important defenders. But again, we tried to find a solution with a player from the academy. Overall I think also he had the penalty moment, so he works quite good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Afterwards, Maresca was asked whether George showed enough to make him think he can start on the final day against Forest if he needs him. The Blues head coach responded: \u201cAbsolutely, yes. 100%.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

2011 \u2013 Tyrique George is the first player with the letter Q in his name to start a Premier League game for Chelsea since Henrique Hilario in August 2011. Quartermaster. pic.twitter.com\/GtBroOdKW1<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 16, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

While George did the best he could as cover in the No 9 position, it\u2019s quite evident his long-term future will be on the wing. Unfortunately, he went through large passages of play against Man Utd without too much involvement.<\/p>\n

The English teenager thought he had won his side a penalty in the second half after he was challenged by goalkeeper Andre Onana, but referee Chris Kavanagh overturned his on-field decision of a spot-kick after being sent to the monitor by VAR.<\/p>\n

Joe Shields is a huge supporter of Tyrique George<\/a>, and we like what we\u2019ve seen from him in the first-team group this season. However, it\u2019s unfair to ask him to lead the line in huge matches at this stage in his development.<\/p>\n

\"PhotoPhoto by Justin Setterfield\/Getty ImagesTyrique George would struggle again vs Nottingham Forest<\/p>\n

Like Man Utd, Forest play with powerful and experienced central defenders.<\/p>\n

Therefore, we\u2019d urge Maresca to avoid deploying George as the central striker again because he\u2019s unlikely to have much success at the City Ground.<\/p>\n\nMinutes played<\/td>\nGoals<\/td>\nAssists<\/td>\nTotal shoits<\/td>\nChances created<\/td>\nAccurate passes<\/td>\nTouches in opposition box<\/td>\nMatch rating<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\n81<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n0<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n5\/8 (63%)<\/td>\n1<\/td>\n6.6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Chelsea\u2019s Tyrique George vs Manchester United via FOTMOB<\/a><\/p>\n

We\u2019d much prefer to see George used as an impact substitute for the final 20 minutes against Forest, where he can inject some pace and fresh legs late on.<\/p>\n

The alternative for Chelsea would be to ask Pedro Neto or Cole Palmer to start in a false-nine position. Pedro Neto enjoys playing down the middle<\/a>, so we\u2019d lean towards him as Jackson\u2019s cover.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n