Chelsea not yet at the level to challenge Man City and Arsenal, according to Enzo Maresca

LONDON – While Chelsea is showing signs of improvement, according to manager Enzo Maresca, the team is not quite ready to challenge top English Premier League clubs such as Manchester City and Arsenal.

The Blues, who finished sixth last season to miss out on the Champions League and 12th in 2022-23, have won four of six games so far and collected 13 points in a positive start to the campaign.

Maresca replaced Mauricio Pochettino in June and was tasked with returning Chelsea to the Champions League which they last won in 2021, but the Italian has played down expectations.

“I don’t think we can compete with City and Arsenal. City have worked with the same manager for (nearly) nine years, Arsenal for five years,” he said ahead of the home league game against Nottingham Forest on Oct 6.

“If you want to compete, you need that time. It’s a huge difference. I am convinced we cannot compete. The target is to improve and to get close slowly. We are not at this moment ready for that.

“You can continue to improve but at the end, the more time you are together, the better it is.”

Chelsea made headlines for loaning out Raheem Sterling to Arsenal and striker Romelu Lukaku left to join Napoli, with Maresca also omitting former captain Ben Chilwell from matchday squads.

However, the manager said the team’s identity was now clear after winning five consecutive games in all competitions – three in the Premier League – with different starting line-ups.

“For the first two months, there was a lot of noise around the club. Hopefully, we can continue with the way we are now,” he added.

“I was not here last year. The only thing I can say is since we started, I like to be focused and in control. The only part I can control is the football side.

“All the noises around the club are something I cannot control, I don’t care about it. I’m already thinking about how we can prepare for the game.”

On Forest, whose last visit to Stamford Bridge a year ago ended in a 1-0 win for the visitors, the Chelsea boss is hoping to build on momentum to clinch a win.

“When you win games it always creates energy, trust, confidence,” said Maresca.

“But the players are the first to recognise when the team plays well or not. The results are helping but they are convinced because they can see clearly the purpose and identity we have.”

He also said right-back Reece James had not recovered from a thigh injury and Carney Chukwuemeka, who fell ill before their midweek 4-2 Conference League win over Gent, will be assessed ahead of the game. , AFP