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The Chelsea boss gave an unusual instruction to one of his players against Southampton.

Enzo Maresca has divulged that he mandated Filip Jorgensen to play short passes in Chelsea’s 4-0 Premier League victory against Southampton. 

Chelsea vs Southampton

Goals from Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella saw the Blues return to winning ways, taking them back into the top four before other close challengers — Manchester City and Newcastle United — play in midweek. 

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However, there were audible groans from nervous supporters in the opening half when Jorgensen dallied in possession, aiming to invite the Southampton press. 

Speaking after the game, Maresca explained that he wanted the 22-year-old goalkeeper to play as part of the team’s overall build-up plan, revealing that he had threatened to withdraw the Danish shot-stopper if that plan was not followed. 

“My message to Filip was, ‘If you play long ball, I will change you’,” Maresca said after Tuesday’s win. “So he was just doing what I said to him.

“It’s difficult for Filip, it’s difficult for Robert when he was playing, I think it’s difficult for all the ‘keepers. But they are just following the plan.”

Tuesday’s match was Jorgensen’s fourth consecutive Premier League start since replacing Robert Sanchez, and he kept his first clean sheet against the division’s worst side. 

The goalkeeper also completed 31 of 36 pass attempts in Chelsea’s win, outdoing Nkunku (24) and Neto (22). 

What next for Chelsea?

Maresca’s men do not return to Premier League action until March 9 against Leicester City. The league fixture takes place three days after the West London club’s Conference League last-16 first-leg clash with Copenhagen in Denmark.