Chelsea’s impressive start to the Premier League season has sparked optimism around Stamford Bridge. Co-sporting director Laurence Stewart has been vocal about the club’s ambition to get back into the Champions League, even though manager Enzo Maresca previously stated that securing a top-four finish wasn’t a direct objective set by the club’s hierarchy.
The Blues last competed in the Champions League during the 2022/23 campaign, where they reached the quarter-finals before being knocked out by Real Madrid. After a challenging season without European football, Chelsea returned to continental competition by qualifying for the Europa Conference League, thanks to a sixth-place Premier League finish last term.
Under Maresca, who was appointed following the departure of Mauricio Pochettino, Chelsea have shown early signs of resurgence. With 14 points from their first seven games, the Blues sit fourth in the table heading into the international break, raising hopes of a top-four challenge and a return to Europe’s elite competition. Stewart’s recent comments have only heightened expectations, suggesting that the club’s long-term goal remains firmly set on rejoining the Champions League.
“This is a club that needs to be in the Champions League, it’s a club that needs to be competing to win trophies consistently,” Stewart told The Telegraph. “And we want to do that with a certain way of playing football as well. So that absolutely is the ambition.”
Stewart’s words reflect a clear vision from the Chelsea hierarchy. He elaborated that the strategy has been about long-term success, with a focus on investing in and developing talent while establishing a distinct style of play. “The owners made it clear from the start that this is not about short-term wins, but about building sustainable success,” he added.
However, this stance appears at odds with Maresca’s more measured approach. Speaking back in August, the Italian manager downplayed expectations of a top-four finish, emphasizing the need to focus on player development rather than setting specific targets like Champions League qualification. “For us, the target at this moment is to improve players,” Maresca said. “No one from the club asked me to compete for the Premier League or a Champions League spot. The most important thing is to be better game after game.”
The differing perspectives between Stewart and Maresca may reflect the balance the club is attempting to strike between immediate progress and long-term growth. While Stewart’s comments signal an ambition to return to the top echelon of European football sooner rather than later, Maresca’s words suggest a more cautious, process-oriented approach.
Maresca did, however, acknowledge the shared vision of taking Chelsea back to where they belong, insisting that all parties at the club are aligned on moving in the “right direction.” He stated, “If it is not now, then probably in one month, two months, in one year – but we will be there very soon.”
With Chelsea in a strong position early in the season, the coming months could test whether the club’s ambitions can translate into results on the pitch. As the push for a Champions League return gathers momentum, the alignment between the club’s sporting directors and Maresca could be crucial in sustaining the team’s progress throughout the campaign.
Ultimately, the difference in tone between Stewart and Maresca might not indicate a disagreement but rather a shared strategy communicated in different ways. For now, Chelsea supporters can dare to dream of a return to Europe’s premier competition, knowing that both the sporting directors and the manager have their eyes set on bringing the club back to its former glory.
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