Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed confidence in the club’s long-term prospects but has tempered expectations regarding their immediate title challenge. While the Blues have made an impressive start to the 2024-2025 Premier League season, Maresca believes Chelsea is still in the process of building a team capable of competing for the title in the coming years.
Current Standings and Upcoming Fixtures
Chelsea currently sits in third place in the Premier League, level on 25 points with second-place Arsenal and nine points behind leaders Liverpool. They face a crucial match against bottom-of-the-table Southampton on Wednesday, with Liverpool facing a challenging trip to Newcastle and Arsenal hosting a resurgent Manchester United.
Maresca’s Cautious Optimism
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Maresca reflected on Chelsea’s progress under his leadership. Despite exceeding his expectations in his first season as manager, he cautioned that they are not yet in the title race. He pointed out the impressive consistency of teams like Arsenal and Liverpool, who have been in close competition with Manchester City for the past few seasons.
“Arsenal have been very close to City in the last two years, and we’ve been far from them,” Maresca said. “To be in the title race is a nice pressure, but it’s not our case yet. Arsenal and Liverpool have been there. We hope soon we can be in that conversation.”
Chelsea’s Bright Future
Looking ahead, Maresca expressed optimism about Chelsea’s future, highlighting the youth and talent within the squad. “With the age and quality of the squad, I believe Chelsea in the next five to ten years will be one of the teams, if not the team, that dominates English football,” he stated. While the focus remains on the current season, Maresca emphasized that he is not concerned with future seasons yet, maintaining a focus on their next match.
“We are in the right direction,” he said, underscoring his belief that Chelsea is building towards something significant.
Tough Challenge Against Southampton
Despite Southampton’s struggles, Maresca is not underestimating the challenge they pose. He described their upcoming match at St. Mary’s as the “worst” and “toughest” game Chelsea has faced so far this season.
“If we are not ready, it will be a bad day for us,” he warned. Despite their poor league position, Southampton has shown moments of quality, including a narrow loss to Manchester City and a draw with Brighton. “They are not easy to beat,” Maresca acknowledged.
Injury Update
Maresca also provided updates on the fitness of key players. Defender Wesley Fofana, who reportedly picked up a hamstring injury in Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Aston Villa, is expected to be sidelined for a few weeks. Additionally, captain Reece James is still recovering and will likely miss several more weeks before returning to action.
Looking Ahead
While Chelsea’s title hopes may still be in the distant future, Maresca’s belief in the team’s potential is clear. His focus remains on the present, with the match against Southampton set to be a crucial test in maintaining their strong start to the season. With a young and talented squad, Chelsea’s ambitions to dominate English football in the coming decade could become a reality, provided they continue to progress on the current trajectory.
