Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has opened up on his team chances of winning the Premier League title despite facing tough challenge from the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal.
The London club have enjoyed a bright start under Enzo Maresca with the former Leicester City manager winning seven of his 10 matches since taking charge of Chelsea this summer.
However, despite their impressive performances, Maresca has downplayed his team’s chances of competing at the top end of the Premier League this season.
After Chelsea’s 4-2 win over Gent in the Europa Conference League on Thursday, he said: “I really don’t think we can compete with City or Arsenal. I really don’t think that because we are not ready. The reason is that City has worked with the same manager for nine years and Arsenal for five years. If you want to compete for big things you need that time. After Arsenal beat PSG they asked Luis Enrique and he said the same thing that Arsenal have had the same manager for five years and them only a year and a half. Imagine us, only three months… so it’s a huge difference. So I am really convinced we cannot compete with those clubs.”
Chelsea sit fourth in the Premier League, just two points off league leaders Liverpool and one adrift of City and Arsenal. However, Chelsea under Maresca are yet to play most of the teams in the top half of the table.
The new few weeks will decide Chelsea’s ability to compete against the big boys. On Sunday, Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge when they host Nottingham Forest, before teams head off for the international break.
Upon their return to the Premier League on October 20, they take on Liverpool at Anfield, a match that will put their title credential to a test.
