Chelsea boss: We can’t compete with Arsenal | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca has admitted that Chelsea are not yet capable of competing with Premier League frontrunners Arsenal and Manchester City, despite his side’s encouraging start to the season.

The Italian coach, who took charge of Chelsea in the summer, has tempered expectations by insisting that more time is needed to reach the level of the two title contenders.

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Enzo Maresca, the Chelsea manager shouts instructions during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Chelsea FC at Molineux on August 25, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Chelsea have secured four wins in their first six Premier League matches, a stark improvement from last season’s inconsistency under Mauricio Pochettino.

However, Maresca remains realistic about his team’s current standing. “I really don’t think that we can compete with City and Arsenal,” Maresca said ahead of Chelsea’s match against Nottingham Forest, as reported by The Times in their Saturday edition.

Maresca highlighted the stability and continuity of both Arsenal and Manchester City as key factors behind their strength. “We are not ready. City has been working with the same manager nine years, Arsenal with the same manager five years, and if you want to compete for an important thing you need that time.

“I’m really convinced that we cannot compete with that club [Arsenal],” he reiterated. “The target is to improve and slowly, slowly go close to that club, but we are not ready at this moment.”

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, looks on prior to the Premier League match between West Ham United FC and Chelsea FC at London Stadium on September 21, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Henry Browne/Getty Images)

Since his arrival, Maresca, who led Leicester City to promotion before joining Chelsea, has managed to steady the ship at Stamford Bridge, following concerns over the club’s transfer strategy. “I think the results always help,” he acknowledged.

“But for the first two months, there was a lot of noise around the club. Inside, it was very quiet. Hopefully, we can continue the way we are now.”

Despite recent back-to-back 4-2 wins over Brighton & Hove Albion and Gent, Maresca remains focused on improving Chelsea’s defensive structure. “If you ask me, ‘Do you prefer to win 4-2 or 2-0?’ I prefer not to concede a goal,” Maresca said.

“The most important thing is that you get better defensively and also offensively.”

At the time of writing, Chelsea currently sit in 4th place, one point behind Arsenal and City and two behind league leaders Liverpool.

Last season, Chelsea finished 6th, 26 points behind Arsenal.