Enzo Maresca: We are preparing for the first game of the new year and Reece James could be included in the squad

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has confirmed that Reece James could be in contention for the Premier League clash against Crystal Palace. Enzo Maresca also said the team is preparing for the first game of the new year.  

Reece James was part of Chelsea's matchday squad for their last game against Ipswich Town. Although Reece James did not feature in the Suffolk game, Enzo Maresca stated in his pre-match press conference against Crystal Palace that the player could be included in the squad against Crystal Palace.  

Additionally, Chelsea will be without Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, while long-term absentees Wesley Fofana and Badiashile will also be out for the foreseeable future.  

Enzo Maresca said: "Our focus is on the game against Crystal Palace, which is as important as any other game. Of course we don't want to lose the game or drop points, but it won't affect our journey because we all know that you will lose games during the season."  

"We have finished the first part of the season and now we are going to start the second part and again we will think about we will win games, we will lose games. But most importantly, we will see how the team improves game by game and what we can do better."  

"Reece James is back. He was with us in the last game. He was with us just to be with us. Our plan was not to give him minutes. However, tomorrow the situation is different and we can give him minutes. We all know how important Reece James is for us, so hopefully he will get minutes soon."  

"Romeo Lavia is very close to us and he has started working with us. We all think that Romeo Lavia is a top player, but for this type of player, the most important thing is to stay healthy. When Romeo Lavia is healthy, he is a top player, so we need to understand how to help him avoid injuries."  

Enzo Maresca also said: "Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is still out. Unfortunately, Wesley Fofana will be out for a long time."  

"We don't know exactly how long Wesley Fofana will be out, but he has a hamstring injury so we will be without him for a while. I have said it many times, I love Wesley Fofana. Of course, it is a big loss for us that he can't come."