Maresca questions expectations around Chelsea despite crucial win over Man Utd: ‘It is not the same Chelsea from years ago’ | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca claims people still think of Chelsea as “the same Chelsea from years ago” and stressed that the situation now is very different.

The Blues boosted their Champions League qualification hopes by beating Manchester United 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, and sit fourth in the table with just one game remaining of the campaign.

But asked how important qualifying for Europe’s elite competition would be for his young side, Maresca was keen to stress that his side are not similar to those of years gone by at the club.

“For me, personally the problem is that, in general, people, you the press, you still think that Chelsea is the same Chelsea from years ago,” he told Sky Sports. “It is not the same.

“Tonight, Jackson was suspended, we played with Tyrique from the academy. Years ago, Drogba was injured and probably Diego Costa played or Fernando Torres. This is a completely different Chelsea.

“I can understand why people struggle to see that but we are in the right direction and hopefully we can bring the club to where it deserves to be, in the Champions League. We’re going to try our best and hopefully we can finish well.”

Asked if that expectation around Chelsea came from the money spent in recent transfer windows, Maresca responded: “I don’t think since I am here, we are spending more money than other clubs. I think, at least, we are spending the same money.

“It is about building something. We are building something important. People have to trust us because we are going in the right direction, the club is working well, and, as I said, hopefully in the future we can also fight for important titles.”

The Blues boss also praised his side’s performance against United, adding: “The reason why I was so happy at the end is because United beat City away, drew with City at home, drew with Liverpool, drew with Arsenal. They know how to play against big teams. They drew with us away.

“I expected a very tough game.”