Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca says Chelsea' not part of Premier League title race'

Enzo Maresca dismissed Chelsea's Premier League title chances, emphasising satisfaction with their remarkable progress despite a shaky start. Chelsea's resurgence under his guidance is notable, but Maresca believes they still lack the consistency to challenge Liverpool's dominance.

In Short

• Chelsea climbed to second place with 10 wins in 17 games
• Liverpool maintained a four-point lead at the Premier League summit
• Maresca acknowledged Chelsea’s growth but ruled out a title bid

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has downplayed his team’s involvement in the Premier League title race, emphasizing that the squad is still in a developmental phase despite their impressive rise to second place in the league standings. Ahead of their Boxing Day clash against Fulham on December 26, Maresca expressed satisfaction with Chelsea’s overall progress but reiterated that they are not yet ready to challenge leaders Liverpool, who hold a four-point lead at the top.

Maresca’s tenure at Chelsea has been a tale of two halves. When he arrived, the team struggled to find form and languished in the bottom half of the table. However, an inspired turnaround saw the Blues surge up the standings with 10 wins in their last 17 matches, collecting 35 points in the process. Despite this resurgence, Maresca remains realistic about their title prospects, noting the consistency and dominance of Liverpool as a benchmark Chelsea is still working towards.

"We are ahead of our expectation in terms of the way we are playing and points. For us, the main focus is to see how we can improve the players and how we can improve the team," Maresca told reporters.

"It's the reality for me, not about the pressure (of going for the title). I would like that kind of pressure. I say we are not there because that is the reality for me. The main point is to continue to improve and to win games," he added.

The Boxing Day fixtures are set to play a significant role in shaping the title race and the battle for European spots. With seven of the top 10 teams in action on the same day, Chelsea’s match against Fulham offers a critical opportunity to close the gap on Liverpool. Meanwhile, the league leaders will take on Leicester City later in the evening, looking to extend their lead at the summit.

Maresca has emphasised the importance of consistency and team cohesion as Chelsea prepares to face Fulham. Fulham, currently mid-table, will pose a stern test, but Chelsea’s recent form and tactical adaptability under Maresca provide optimism.

While the title may seem out of reach for now, Chelsea’s transformation under Maresca is undeniable. The Boxing Day fixture will not only test their mettle but also provide insight into how close they are to truly challenging for domestic supremacy. For now, Chelsea is building, not sprinting toward the crown.