The Blues lie in fourth place in the Premier League and are in contention to finish in a top-eight berth in the initial phase of the Champions League, while victory over Cardiff tonight would secure a Carabao Cup semi-final tie in the new year.

In the build-up to the game in South Wales, when asked how he would assess the campaign thus far, Maresca reiterated we have had to make do without the likes of Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo. It is why he is keen to credit his squad for their efforts so far in 2025/26.

‘In 16 Premier League games we have played 11 without our best player, which is Cole Palmer, five without Moi, all without Levi, all important players for this club, so that is why I am praising the players,’ said Maresca.

‘Even with this number of problems, we are there. Cole is our best player and has been out almost the whole season. If you take out the best player from Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, it’s exactly the same thing, and so you need to recognise the rest of the squad.’

Maresca said he is not in a position to give a timeframe on another player who has been unavailable for much of the season, Romeo Lavia.

However the head coach can welcome back Moises Caicedo this evening and he is not ruling out the possibility of starting the Ecuadorian, even if this might usually represent a chance to rest him.

‘He’s available, he can play, he’s back finally,’ said Maresca. ‘If we decide to use him, he is going to play.’