
Enzo Maresca has played down Chelsea’s chances of lifting the Premier League trophy this season despite their 2-1 victory over Brentford, stating that the team is “not ready” to compete for the title.
Speaking after the match, Maresca highlighted defensive lapses as a major issue, pointing to the goal conceded against Brentford as an example of Chelsea’s struggles to maintain composure in crucial moments.
“One of the reasons why is because I think the teams know how to compete for titles. They are not going to concede goals like we do,” Maresca explained.
“The one today, it was a throw-in for us. That’s why I don’t think we are ready to compete for titles. We cannot concede how we did and open the game and give them a chance.
“For sure, the goal we conceded, it is something we need to manage better and also, at the end of the game, it is finished, we can manage that moment in a different way.”
While Chelsea sit just two points behind Liverpool in the Premier League standings, Maresca remains cautious about their title hopes.
“You can talk about the title and the fans can dream about the title, absolutely. If you ask me, I will tell you what I think. For me, we are not ready, but we are happy the fans can dream,” he added.
Despite their impressive position in the league table, Maresca’s comments suggest that Chelsea’s journey to becoming genuine title contenders is still a work in progress.