ENZO MARESCA INSISTS CHELSEA ARE NOT TITLE CONTENDERS YET; "ASK AGAIN IN MARCH."
Despite a heroic 1-1 draw with Arsenal, Maresca and club insiders agree title talk is premature. The top four are the current, primary targets.
We sometimes try to get Chelsea to talk about winning the title, sure.
The reporters who often go to Enzo Maresca’s press meetings probably don't bring it up every week. By now, we all know what he'll say and the look he'll give you. But once in a while, a new person will give it a shot.
Hi Enzo, hope you're doing well. I wanted to ask, is Chelsea in the title race, and can you win it?
The latest try came on Sunday at Stamford Bridge. It was as good a time as any, since they had just tied Arsenal 1-1, even though they played most of the game with only 10 players, after Moises Caicedo, their key player, was sent off.
Doesn't your game today prove you can challenge Arsenal and the others?
Maresca started his answer by apologising for being boring and repetitive. He told us Chelsea isn't going to win the title. He said it's too early to talk about that, mostly this season. It's only November, December, he said. "Ask again in February or March," he said.
Chelsea tied the league leaders, even after playing most of the game with 10 players. But Maresca says that it’s still too early to talk about their chances of winning the Premier League.
So, the Magic 8 Ball was shaken, and like before, it said, Ask again later.
But Maresca won't be scolded by his bosses for his view because they agree with him. Like actors who won't say Macbeth in theatres because they think it will bring bad luck, nobody at Chelsea will mention the title right now.
Last season, people were a bit shocked when Maresca said Chelsea’s owners didn't tell him to finish in the top four. This is different.
Anyone who says they’re in the title race this early in the season is wrong. Unless you actually win, there's not much to gain from saying you're going to go for it.
Instead, Chelsea wants to keep doing what they're doing and see where it leads them. Their main goal is to finish in the Premier League’s top four. They’ll see where that leaves them.
If they’re still close to Arsenal and Manchester City in February, Maresca might change his mind. But until then, it’s, You’re saying that, but we’re not thinking that. Next question.
Chelsea insiders think Arsenal and City are the teams to beat this season, and it’s hard to argue. Arsenal added more players to their team in the summer, as they need to compete, and they’ve finished second in the last three seasons.
City has Erling Haaland, who can make a big difference, and they’ve been there, done that, winning six titles since 2017 under Pep Guardiola.
The Daily Mail Sport put up a poll on social media yesterday, asking, Do you think Chelsea can actually win the title this season? After 1,000 votes, it was exactly 50-50. After a few hundred more votes, it was 49.5 per cent saying yes and 50.5 per cent saying no.
The fans are split, and me? After thinking about it, I'd have to say no for now. They're getting closer, I think, but this season feels too soon.
They're the youngest team in Premier League history. They're still learning to play together after Chelsea decided to rebuild their attack in the summer, which isn't normal after finishing fourth.
They have a 45-year-old head coach who, while clearly a good tactician, will tell you he's still learning.
They’ve been a bit naive at times, like with the four red cards they’ve gotten in the Premier League this season. If they keep this up, they’ll break Sunderland and QPR’s record of nine in a season.
They don’t have a Haaland-type goalscorer because they’re thinking long-term instead of spending big on one proven player.
There’s nothing wrong with that, but signing young players means you have to be patient. They’ve shown they can play well against Arsenal and Barcelona in those big games, but then they have those bad days, like the loss to Sunderland and the tie with Qarabag.
Chelsea’s next Premier League games are against Leeds, Bournemouth, and Everton, and while they look like wins on paper, it’s still not clear how they’ll do as the favourites.
Chelsea has a lot going for them. The way they handled not having Cole Palmer—winning 10 of their 13 games when he was hurt—was good to see.
He’s back now, and Maresca has been rotating players all season to get ready for the busy schedule ahead, using all the players he has.
They’re getting used to winning after the Club World Cup win in the summer.
Right now, it doesn’t feel like enough to be the best team in England after 38 games, but hey, ask me again in February or March.
LIAM ROSENIOR’S "DETAILED TALKS" WITH CHELSEA LEADERSHIP REVEAL AGGRESSIVE SUMMER TRANSFER STRATEGY
Liam Rosenior confirms no Chelsea players want to leave, including Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer, despite UCL exit.
Liam Rosenior is currently engaged in thorough discussions with Chelsea’s leadership about their plans for the summer transfer window. Interestingly, none of the players has approached him expressing a desire to leave.
After Chelsea’s exit from the Champions League last-16 against Paris Saint-Germain, speculation swirled around Enzo Fernandez’s future, while names like Cole Palmer and Moises Caicedo have also been linked with moves away since Rosenior took charge in January. Ahead of their trip to Everton, Rosenior addressed questions about possible departures if the team misses out on Europe’s top competition again. He also spoke about the ongoing efforts to bring new players in.
“We're having very detailed talks about where we need to strengthen,” he said, referring to conversations with the sporting director team, headed by Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart. “I’ve shared my thoughts on what’s needed, and we’re mostly aligned on the approach, which is encouraging. But the priority is also handling the present properly. It’s crucial to be in a good spot now. Planning is important, but so is winning in the moment. That’s why I’m here, and I’m having positive discussions with ownership and the sporting directors about it.”
Rosenior emphasised that key players like Enzo Fernández want to remain at Chelsea. After Fernandez’s recent interview with ESPN Argentina, where he was noncommittal about his future following the heavy loss to PSG, Rosenior reached out to him personally.
“Our plans don’t hinge solely on qualifying for the Champions League; there are many variables,” Rosenior explained. “We need to make the best of the situation we’re in and stay as strong as possible. I maintain a close relationship with the players; we talk beyond football about their families and their lives. I’m particularly close with Enzo and the others. Since I arrived, no one has told me they want to leave in the summer. The focus is really on improving together as a team and figuring out what it takes to win right now.”
When asked specifically if that applies to Fernandez, Palmer, and Caicedo, Rosenior was clear: “They love it here.”
WHY ENZO FERNANDEZ REFUSES TO COMMIT TO CHELSEA’S FUTURE PROJECT
Enzo Fernandez has sparked Chelsea exit fears after refusing to commit to his future following a 2-8 defeat to PSG.
Chelsea fans barely had time to process a brutal 8-2 Champions League thrashing by PSG on Tuesday when vice-captain Enzo Fernandez stirred things up even more. ESPN Argentina asked him about his future, and instead of assurance, Fernandez left everyone guessing about whether he’d still be at Stamford Bridge next season.
His answer? “I don’t know. There are eight games left, and the FA Cup. There’s the World Cup, and then we’ll see.” Not exactly what supporters needed to hear after a rough night. Honestly, Enzo, now’s probably not the best time for uncertainty.
People have been gossiping about Fernandez’s next move for a while now. Real Madrid and PSG keep cropping up as possible destinations, despite Chelsea sources insisting they won’t sell him. He’s locked into a contract until 2032, but if he pushes for an exit, who knows if that changes.
Fernandez holds a hefty price tag of £107 million; when he arrived in January 2023, it was a British record at the time. He’s backed it up this season, stacking up 12 goals, 6 assists, and playing more minutes than anyone else on the squad.
Still, Chelsea has been searching for someone who can play that No. 10 role where Fernandez has spent most of the season. Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is on their wishlist, though nothing’s happened yet. Rogers, 23 and once a Manchester City academy kid, has been lighting it up at Villa lately. He signed a contract extension in November, but rumours about his future just won’t die.
Rogers is definitely on Chelsea’s radar. If Fernandez leaves this summer, and really, that’s still wide open; Rogers could be a target.
You can expect Chelsea to be busy in the market soon. They need a centre-back after missing out on Jeremy Jacquet in January. Douglas Luiz was briefly considered but wound up at Villa, so midfield is still in the mix. Plus, given their attacking troubles this season, they’ll be looking to upgrade up front too.
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