Maresca: Chelsea will not be involved in title race this season despite currently sitting third | OneFootball

Enzo Maresca insists Chelsea will not be involved in the race for the Premier League title this season despite currently sitting third in the table.

The Blues sit nine points behind league leaders Liverpool at present and take on eighth placed Aston Villa on Sunday.

But despite Chelsea’s progress compared with last season, Maresca again played down expectations of a title challenge.

He said: “No. I said many times I really like the pressure, I really like to say yes we are there, but we are not there.

“Arsenal are ahead of us, [Manchester] City is ahead of us, Liverpool showing they are ahead of us. The important thing is we improve game after game and then we will see.

“You think that City lost three in a row but still second. Arsenal is there. Liverpool is doing fantastic. Reason why, for me, is not about points or the table, it is about the process the programme.

“Five years together, nine together, Liverpool is different but they didn’t make too many changes from before.

“Not about the points difference on the table, it is about the time together.”