Enzo Maresca responds to claims Chelsea haven't improved

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has responded to claims that he hasn’t improved Chelsea, as he remains assured that the Blues are heading in the right direction.

Maresca has issued a response amid claims he hasn’t improved Chelsea by insisting the club has already been out of the Champions League for two years before his arrival.

Chelsea replaced Mauricio Pochettino with Maresca after the former was dismissed at the end of the 2023-24 season, despite the Argentine guiding the team to six consecutive league wins and a sixth-place finish in the process.

While the final run was impressive, it was not enough to turn the heads of Chelsea’s board to stick with Pochettino, prompting them to bring in Maresca with hopes of leading the long-term project instituted by the owners.

Despite the change, the 45-year-old manager has been under the radar, sparking debate about his suitability for the role, particularly after a difficult start earlier this year.

The manager himself appears unperturbed due to the backing received from the owners, and stands firm in his belief that Chelsea are on the track, especially with Champions League qualification still within reach.

Enzo Maresca on Chelsea — Maresca asserts that Chelsea has already improved because they have spent all season in top-six compared to the last few years

Answering questions about the team’s direction and his future at the helm, Maresca did not hesitate to defend both his work and progress made so far.

“I’ve already answered this one a few times. Compared to the last few years, it is not a failure,” he told reporters.

“How many times have Chelsea been in the Champions League in the last few seasons? How many times? Zero.

“It’s already an improvement because we have spent all season there. Compared to the last few years, it is quite clear there is an improvement.”

Maresca emphasised that the club’s achievement so far is fully in line with both the results and the broader vision ahead.

“For sure in terms of results, we have the obligation to bring this club to where it belongs,” he said. “The results have been there.

“But the good thing is me as a manager, the club, we all have ambition of where we want to go and we are in the right direction.

“Hopefully we can be there very soon.”

Chelsea revived their pursuit of a Champions League return with a vital 2-1 triumph over West London rivals Fulham on Sunday, providing a timely boost.

The win helped the Blues retain sixth place in the Premier League standings, two points short of Newcastle, who currently occupy fifth.

Chelsea’s next assignment comes this Saturday when they take on Everton.