Enzo Maresca hits back at Chelsea critics in fierce response over 'ambition' claims | OneFootball

Blues boss has also set his team a public target and responded to potential fan protest at Stamford Bridge

Passion: Enzo Maresca has hit back at critics over a perceived lack of ambition at Chelsea this season

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Enzo Maresca has at last set his Chelsea players the public target of finishing in the top four this season as he bids to silence criticism over a lack of ambition.

However, they remain sixth, just one point behind fourth-placed Manchester City and level with Bournemouth in fifth, with England looking increasingly likely to secure an additional Champions League place for next season.

However, speaking ahead of the Villa clash, the 44-year-old finally broke from that stance and set his sights on a return to Europe’s elite club competition.

“I think we spent almost the whole season in the top four,” he said. “Now we have just 13 games to go, so for sure now, the target for us is to try and finish in the top four. To finish in the best way.”

Maresca had come under fire from Chelsea supporters in the aftermath of the FA Cup exit at Brighton, when he suggested defeat would help his team focus on improving their league form.

Those comments were viewed as defeatist, with Blues fans used to regular silverware during the Roman Abramovich era, and, combined with his refusal to go public in targeting the Champions League, had led to accusations that the former Leicester boss is lacking in ambition.

“I’ve always been clear since day one,” Maresca insisted in a fierce response. “I’m not here to survive, I’m here to win games. I’m here to bring this club to fight for titles.

“Since day one, I joined this club and my intention was to win games, win titles and to bring this club where it deserves to be.

“The problem is when you win, you look humble and when you don’t win, you look like you lack ambition.

“I’m ambitious, the club is ambitious. We have the same manager, same players, same owners and same sporting directors from two months ago when we were second in the league. Nothing has changed.

“The only thing that has changed is we are dealing with many injuries and this has affected a little bit the level of the team.”

There has been talk of a potential fan protest when the Blues host Southampton at Stamford Bridge next Tuesday, which will be their first home game in more than three weeks.

However, Maresca has urged supporters to get behind the team, believing his side’s home form will be the key to their top-four hopes.

“The only thing I can say is that every time the fans have been behind us, we really appreciate it because we are sure with the fans behind, we can achieve soon our target,” he added.

“We have 13 games left to go with seven of them at home and I think winning the seven at home can be enough to finish top four. It’s a motivation for them, a motivation for us.”