Enzo Maresca has impressively led Chelsea in the Premier League this season, losing just two out of 12 games — against two of the division’s top sides, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Despite been behind leaders Liverpool by nine points and a point behind second-placed and third-placed Brighton & Hove Albion and Man City, the Italian coach has insisted his young team are not involved in the title race and are only focused on their improvements per match.
The Blues who are fourth are also equal on 22 points with Arsenal and are ahead with a better goals difference.
Employed in June, Maresca switched to Stamford Bridge after winning the Championship with Leicester City in his first season in charge, and quizzed if he could repeat the same with Chelsea or if they are in the title race, he insisted;
“No. I said it many times. I really like the pressure. I’d like to say: ‘Yes, we’re there’ – but we’re not there,” he said to reporters ahead of Sunday’s clash with Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.
“It’s nice to see the team improving, that is important; it is nice, a good feeling.
“At the same time, you need to be realistic and you can see the difference between us and the rest at the moment.
“This doesn’t mean we’re not going to win games and not compete until the end, but the main focus has to be the feeling we’re improving game after game.
“Arsenal is five years together [with manager Mikel Arteta], City more than eight years together [under Pep Guardiola], Liverpool is a bit different but they didn’t make many changes from the past. This is the reason.
“It’s not about points or difference in the table, it’s just the time together.”
Liverpool replaced Jurgen Klopp, who was at the club for almost nine years, with Arne Slot in the off season.
Maresca played for Sevilla from 2005 to 2009, about four years before current Villa gaffer Unai Emery took charge of the LaLiga side and led them to three Europa League crowns.
Maresca lauded the Spaniard, who was appointed by Villa in October 2022 and helped them secure qualification for the Champions League after finishing fourth in the Premier League last term.
“Villa have a top manager, they are doing fantastic. I know Emery from Sevilla and I know how intense they are.
“They are showing fantastic things with very good players. It will be a tough game,” Maresca added.
