Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has admitted his side is under no pressure to secure Champions League qualification in his first season in charge.
The Blues are set to face Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United in a round of 16 tie at St. James’ Park — after defeating them 2-1 in Sunday’s League match at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea reached the final of this competition last season, losing in extra time to Liverpool, under former manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Since taking over the Argentine, Maresa’s team has lost only on three occasions in 14 games across all competitions, as they sit fifth in the league with 17 points, one behind third-placed Arsenal.
“The club never mentioned to me about top four. They always mentioned to me the target was to build something important for the next four or five years,” Maresca said to newsmen.
“For sure, we work every day to reach something important. Pressure, on the players? I don’t think so, to be honest. If you go game by game, you can see yourself where you are in that moment. If you start to think about top four or top six, you are thinking about June and for me, it’s too far.”
Chelsea had no fresh injury concerns before their League Cup clash with Maresca adding that defender Wesley Fofana, who suffered a knock against Newcastle, is fit to play.
Quizzed about former Manchester United player Jadon Sancho, who has been an unused substitute in Chelsea’s past two matches, Maresca said;
“Players cannot maintain the same level for the whole season because the amount of games is huge, so the last two games he didn’t play simply down to tactical decisions.”
The 24-year-old joined Chelsea on loan from United after falling out with their former boss Erik ten Hag and Maresca added that the winger will have more opportunities to play in the future.
“Jadon has been doing well since he arrived.
“He will play many games and the only thing he has to do is continue to work hard and when we give him a chance, he has to take it.”
