Enzo Maresca Wins Manager Of The Month Award For November

Italian tactician, Enzo Maresca has capped off a strong November by being named Premier League Manager of the Month.

Enzo Maresca topped a six-man shortlist to claim the award after Chelsea went unbeaten in the league throughout November, winning three of their four matches.

Supporters helped decide the outcome through a public vote, and Enzo Maresca earned the nod after overseeing a run that included three clean sheets and only one goal conceded.

Chelsea opened the month with a narrow 1-0 victory at Tottenham, courtesy of Joao Pedro’s composed finish, before sweeping aside Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-0 and defeating Burnley 2-0. The team rounded off November with a spirited 1-1 draw against league leaders Arsenal, despite playing much of the second half with ten men.

With ten points recorded and just one goal conceded, Chelsea posted the strongest defensive and points return of any Premier League side during the month.

Maresca saw off competition from Mikel Arteta, Unai Emery, Pep Guardiola, Fabian Hurzeler and Marco Silva to secure the award.

As the focus shifts to Saturday’s league clash with Everton, Maresca confirmed that Cole Palmer and Wesley Fofana are expected to be available. Chelsea currently sit fifth, one point above the visitors.

Palmer, who did not travel for the midweek Champions League tie in Italy, has returned to training. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Maresca explained: “Cole is ok, he is better and he is available at the moment. We have one more session this afternoon. Yesterday he finished the session with us with mixed feelings, but overall he is ok.”

Fofana, who was forced off in midweek after sustaining an eye injury during a slide tackle, has also been cleared. Maresca said: “He is available, he is fine. He took part in the session yesterday and is completely fine.”

Chelsea will, however, remain without Moises Caicedo as he completes the final match of his domestic suspension. Levi Colwill, Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo also remain out, and they have now been joined by Liam Delap, who suffered a shoulder injury against Bournemouth.

The length of Delap’s absence is still unclear, with Maresca noting: “We don’t know yet. It could be two, three, or four weeks. We don’t know exactly how many days he will need.”