Chelsea star names one thing Enzo Maresca is doing for shock title contenders | OneFootball

Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo says Enzo Maresca's focus on preparation has been key to their continued good form.

Many thought the Blues may need time to consolidate and gel after opting to replace previous head coach Mauricio Pochettino with Maresca, but the Italian has delivered instant results to propel the club into the title race only 18 months after finishing 12th in the Premier League.

Just two points separate Chelsea from table-toppers Liverpool, and the weekend win over Brentford was the club's 10th victory from 16 outings this season - goals from Marc Cucurella and Nicolas Jackson getting the job done.

Chelsea are also cruising in Europe, having already secured their passage through to the knockout rounds of the Conference League, and Adarabioyo has revealed that things are going so well because of the way Maresca continues to push the players.

"We focus every single day in training and hope the results come with that," he told the club's official website.

Brentford were dispatched in midweek / Vince Mignott/MB Media/GettyImages

"We take each game as it comes. The manager is pushing us every single day to make sure we are doing the right things and preparing for each game. We’ve got top players. When everyone puts in a shift – and against Brentford, we put in an amazing shift off the ball – it’s always good to see. Our next focus now is Shamrock Rovers."

Chelsea's players have become increasingly more familiar with each other, owing to more regular and structured team selection, and the former Fulham centre-back admitted that cohesion and understanding was another key focus in training.

"It’s something we have been working on," he said. 'It was a great cross from Noni Madueke and great to see Marc Cucurella on the end of it [against Brentford]. He was in a more advanced position and did a great job."

The Blues have been dealt a blow by Mykhailo Mudryk's shock failed drugs test, but with the Ukrainian a peripheral figure in the Premier League this season, his absence may not be felt too much with the January transfer window also opening soon.