Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca believes his team has exceeded expectations this season but remains cautious about their Premier League title chances, citing the consistent strength of their rivals. His comments came after Chelsea’s thrilling 4-3 comeback win against Tottenham, a match marked by Marc Cucurella's early struggles.
The Blues found themselves two goals down within the first 15 minutes after Cucurella lost his footing twice, leading to both of Spurs' early strikes. The Spanish left-back, who later changed his boots, became the focal point of Maresca’s lighthearted post-match remarks.
Arsenal, [Manchester] City, and Liverpool probably don't slide like Cucurella did, quipped Maresca, before offering a more serious reflection on Chelsea's progress. To be serious, we are not ready. We are far from these teams, but we focus on day-by-day improvements.
Maresca took charge of Chelsea in the summer after Mauricio Pochettino's tenure ended with the club finishing sixth last season. Since then, the Italian has overseen a significant turnaround. The win against Tottenham propelled Chelsea to second in the table, just four points behind league leaders Liverpool. However, Liverpool had a game in hand, as their match against Everton had been postponed due to Storm Darragh.
The comeback at Tottenham showcased Chelsea's resilience and attacking flair, qualities Maresca has worked hard to instill. He expressed pride in the team's development, saying, We are ahead of my expectations in terms of how we play on the ball, off the ball, and the results.
Despite their strong position, Maresca downplayed Chelsea’s readiness to compete for the title this season. The plan or the idea is to not let the players slow down. They cannot drop because they know another player is waiting to come in, he explained, emphasizing the importance of squad depth and competition for places.
Chelsea's progress under Maresca has been evident, with a clear identity emerging in their style of play. However, the manager is aware of the challenge posed by the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal, who have consistently set high standards in the league.
As Chelsea continues to build momentum, Maresca remains focused on steady improvement rather than immediate glory. His realistic approach reflects a long-term vision for sustained success while keeping expectations grounded for now.
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