Manager Maresca: Chelsea not in championship chase

Chelsea may be third in the Premier League, but head coach Enzo Maresca stated his young team is focused on developing in every encounter.

West London has only lost two of its 12 league games, to champions Manchester City and leaders Liverpool, who they trail by nine points. Chelsea have 22 points, tied with Arsenal in fourth and Brighton & Hove Albion in fifth, but have a higher goal difference.

Maresca, who was recruited in June after leading Leicester City to the Championship title in his debut season, maintained Chelsea were still improving.

They weren’t in the title race, he added. I repeated it often. I like pressure. I’d like to say ‘Yes, we’re there’—but we’re not “He told media before Sunday’s match with Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.

“Seeing the team improve is crucial and makes me feel good.

However, you must be realistic and see our current advantage over others.

“We won’t forget to win games and compete to the end, but we must focus on improving game every game.

Arsenal has been with Mikel Arteta for five years, City has been with Pep Guardiola for eight, and Liverpool is different but hasn’t changed much. Due to this. Spending time together is more important than table points.”

In the close season, Liverpool replaced nearly nine-year manager Juergen Klopp with Arne Slot. Italian Maresca played for Sevilla from 2005-2009, four years before Unai Emery took over and won three Europa League titles.

Maresca lauded the Spaniard, who joined Villa in October 2022 and helped them qualify for the Champions League by finishing fourth in the Premier League.

“A top manager has Villa performing well. I knew Emery from Sevilla and their intensity. They have great players and are performing well. Maresca predicted a tough game.