Enzo Maresca names two teams Chelsea cannot compete with

With Cole Palmer arguably the league’s standout player, the 22-year-old’s record-breaking four first-half goals in last week’s win against Brighton have brought his season total to six.

Maresca showcased his impressive squad depth by fielding a completely different starting lineup in Thursday’s impressive 4-2 Europa Conference League victory over Gent.

Despite this progress three months into his tenure, the head coach dismissed any notions that Chelsea could contend with the league’s established top two for their first title since 2017.

‘I really don’t think we can compete with City and Arsenal,’ he said. ‘I really think that, because we are not ready.

‘The reason why is that City are working with the same manager for nine years, Arsenal for five years. It’s something that if you want to compete for important things, you need that time.

‘After Arsenal v Paris St Germain (on Tuesday), they asked the same to (PSG coach) Luis Enrique. He said the difference is that Arsenal have had the same manager for five years, (PSG) are one year and a half.

‘We (Chelsea) are three months. It’s a huge difference. I’m really convinced that we cannot compete with that club.

‘The target is to improve and slowly, slowly go close to them. But we are not in this moment ready for that.’

Chelsea will host Nottingham Forest on Sunday, aiming for their fourth consecutive league victory, although they’ve struggled to defeat Forest at home in the past two seasons.

The atmosphere around the club has shifted significantly since Forest’s last trip to Stamford Bridge, where Anthony Elanga’s goal secured a 1-0 win for the visitors.

That loss was part of a stretch in which Chelsea failed to score in three league matches and managed only one win in six.

Despite heavy criticism of the club’s transfer strategy, which has seen them spend over £1.2 billion on players over two years without immediate success, signs are emerging under Maresca that this approach is finally starting to pay off.

‘When you win games it always creates energy, trust, confidence,” he said. “It’s helping the process.

‘But the players are the first to recognise when the team plays well or not. The results are helping but they are convinced because they can see clearly the purpose and identity we have.

‘Results help (to bring calm). It’s the reason why it is what it is. For the first two months we had a lot of noise around the club, though I said inside it was quiet. Hopefully we can continue in the way we are now.

‘I like to be focused on the things I can control. The only part I can control is the football side. All the noise around the club is something I can not control.’