Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s manager, is confident that his recently revamped team will soon be challenging Manchester City for the Premier League title. He joined Chelsea from Leicester during the offseason, becoming the sixth manager for the club since Todd Boehly’s consortium took ownership in 2022.
Last season, Chelsea finished 28 points behind City, and this summer saw significant changes as Boehly invested heavily in the squad, leaving Maresca with an extensive pool of players.
Having guided Leicester to promotion from the Championship in the previous season, Maresca faces a tough Premier League debut as City kick off their campaign at Stamford Bridge this Sunday in pursuit of a fifth consecutive title.
Despite the challenges ahead, the 44-year-old Italian, who previously served on City manager Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff, believes that given time, Chelsea can compete strongly against his former team.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Maresca expressed his optimism, saying, “For me, in my personal opinion, the big difference at this moment between us and other teams dominating English football is just a matter of time.”
He added, “Clubs that have worked with the same manager for nine years, eight years. We’re working with the same manager for one month. For sure, with time, we will close the gap. Hopefully, it can happen very soon.”
Following Mauricio Pochettino’s departure by mutual consent at the end of the previous season, Boehly is banking on Maresca to replicate the success of Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, who also learned under Guardiola’s tutelage at City.
Boehly’s support for Maresca is evident with the acquisition of 10 new players totaling £185 million ($238 million), leading to a squad size of 43 under Maresca’s management.
Maresca shared his confidence in the team’s progress, stating, “I’m one hundred per cent sure that this team is getting better, game after game. With time, we will close the gap on City, Arsenal, and other teams dominating English football.”
He added, “I’m quite confident and relaxed about time because I can see that the team is improving. It’s the only thing that I can control.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s midfielder Conor Gallagher, whose move to Atletico Madrid hit a snag this week, has been training separately from the main squad and will not be in contention for the upcoming match.
The 24-year-old is currently in a contract negotiation deadlock with Atletico’s Samu Omorodion, leaving his transfer in uncertainty.
“Conor is back; he’s currently training a little apart,” shared Maresca, adding, “He won’t be involved against City because, as you know, he’s trying to find a solution with the club. We’ll see what happens.”
He concluded, “Hopefully for Conor, his situation will resolve in a way that satisfies the player, the club, the manager, and everyone involved.”
AFP