Enzo Maresca has warned high-flying Chelsea that “issues can change shortly in soccer” forward of their London derby in opposition to Tottenham within the Premier League.
Maresca’s facet are second within the standings with 28 factors from 14 matches and are unbeaten of their final six, trailing leaders Liverpool by seven factors.
Arsenal even have 28 factors, however sit third on purpose distinction, whereas champions Manchester Metropolis are two factors behind the Blues in fourth place.
However Chelsea’s Italian head coach as soon as once more refused to depend his facet as one of many contenders for the Premier League title this season.
“I don’t assume we’re there and able to compete with Arsenal, Liverpool and Metropolis. We’ve got to do many extra issues nicely, not simply rating targets,” Maresca mentioned.
“Defensively, we’re doing nicely, however we’re simply centered on Sunday after which the subsequent one.
“We’re not eager about April, Could or June. It’s too early. Issues can change shortly in soccer. The main focus is Sunday.”
Sunday.
Spurs Chelsea within the #PL. pic.twitter.com/lx9nxlYgKM
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 6, 2024
The Blues have scored 31 targets this season – essentially the most by a crew within the league this season, with Cole Palmer their prime scorer with 9 targets, adopted by Nicolas Jackson, who has struck eight occasions.
They head into the derby on the again of a 5-1 win in opposition to Southampton on Wednesday, which was the second time they scored 5 targets or extra in away video games this season.
The final time they did the identical, they emerged champions below Jose Mourinho through the 2014-15 season.
In the meantime, their subsequent opponents, Tottenham, have been crushed 1-0 by Bournemouth final outing and dropped to tenth place, however Maresca labelled Spurs “a implausible crew.”
“Spurs have superb gamers and an excellent supervisor. What sort of issues they’ve, I don’t know. However they’re a implausible crew,” he mentioned.
“You see the outcomes, two weeks in the past they beat Metropolis, so they’re an excellent crew.”
The 44-year-old additionally hailed Noni Madueke, who scored his fifth purpose of the season in opposition to the Saints and has been concerned in three targets in two matches, however reiterated that the winger nonetheless has scope to enhance.
“General he’s working nicely since we began. Typically he drops a bit bit. He’s not allowed to drop. By way of numbers, he’s doing implausible with targets and assists,” Maresca mentioned.
“Off the ball, once we ask him to defend and press, he’s doing very nicely. The one motive I mentioned this the opposite day is that I need the very best from Noni and to get the very best you must push him. If he relaxes a bit bit, it’s fallacious.”
