Sports

EPL: Enzo Maresca Claims Chelsea Can Dominate Football

Published

19 hours ago

Dec 3, 2024.

Dennis

Enzo Maresca believes Chelsea have the potential to dominate English football over the next decade but emphasized that they are not yet ready to challenge for the Premier League title, despite their strong start to the season.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Chelsea are level on 25 points with Arsenal, although they trail leaders Liverpool by nine points.

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Maresca’s side will face bottom-placed Southampton on Wednesday, while Liverpool face a tough trip to Newcastle and Arsenal host an improving Manchester United.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Maresca acknowledged that Chelsea’s progress in his first season as manager has exceeded his expectations, but he called for caution in the pursuit of immediate success.

“They (Arsenal) have been there in the last two years very close to City and we were very far from City,” said the Italian.

“To be in the title race is a nice pressure for me and for the players — it’s that kind of pressure that you like because you are in the title race — but it is not our case because Arsenal in the last two years they were very, very, very close to City. Liverpool, they have been there and we were not there.

“Hopefully soon, we can be there.”

Maresca, who has fashioned an effective team from a bloated squad, said Chelsea’s future was bright.

“Because of the age and because of how good the squad is, for me Chelsea in the next five, 10 years, will be one of the teams or the team that is going to dominate English football,” he said.

He added: “I think we are in the right direction and in terms of a personal target, I know from outside you struggle to believe but… I’m focused on Southampton, but I’m not focused about the end of the season, next season, two seasons because it’s not real.”

The former Leicester boss said he was expecting a tough challenge at St Mary’s Stadium despite Southampton’s struggles.