Sawt Falasteen - Maresca happy with Chelsea wide men as Garnacho rumours swirl

The 20-year-old Argentina international has reportedly been the subject of interest from Chelsea and Italian side Napoli during the January transfer window.

Representatives of Garnacho were in attendance as Chelsea beat Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

Maresca, who is likely to be without Mykhailo Mudryk for an extended period as the Ukrainian awaits the outcome of a doping investigation, handed a Premier League debut to academy graduate Tyrique George during the 3-1 win, after being left with only three available senior wide forwards.

Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho have shared the two wide starting berths since Mudryk has been unavailable, while Joao Felix can also operate on the wings.

Maresca, whose team face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, was asked at his pre-match press conference about the Garnacho reports.

"I'm happy with the ones that we have in this moment," he said. "We said many times, on the right side is Pedro (Neto) and Noni (Madueke) and on the left side is Jadon (Sancho).

"Misha (Mudryk) was with us but now he is not with us but (we also have) Tyrique, I think it's a young profile that can help us. In this moment, we are OK."

The Italian said the club were keeping a close eye on options in the transfer market, with the window closing on February 3.

Fourth-placed Chelsea are seeking to open up a five-point gap on the champions in the race to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Maresca was employed by City, first as coach of their elite development squad then latterly as an assistant to manager Pep Guardiola, either side of an unsuccessful and brief spell in charge of Italian Serie B side Parma.

The Chelsea boss spoke warmly about City, referring to the "trust, confidence and faith" they showed in him after his sacking by Parma.

And he downplayed suggestions that it was a good time to face Guardiola's men, who have had a miserable season.

"It is probably on the other side," he said. "I think this kind of club with these kind of players, when they are in a difficult moment, it's when they want to show how good they are.

"They want to come against everyone and say: 'OK, if you think we are not good enough, we are going to show you how good we are', so I don't think there is a good moment to play against City."

T.Samara--SF-PST