Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has downplayed concerns over the team’s top-four position following a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace, which marked their fourth consecutive Premier League game without a win.

The recent slip in form has seen Chelsea’s title aspirations fade, with their place in the top four now under threat. Newcastle are just one point behind the Blues, while Manchester City trail by two. Aston Villa and Bournemouth are also closing the gap.

Despite the mounting pressure, Maresca remains composed. Speaking after the match, he reflected on the situation: “Two weeks ago or three weeks ago we were talking about the title race. We knew that Newcastle and Aston Villa will be there [in the top-four race], Manchester City will, for sure, be there.”

For Maresca, the focus is on improvement rather than the standings. “So, for me it’s not about the table, it’s just about how we can improve things,” he emphasised.

The Chelsea boss also acknowledged that every team experiences challenging spells during the season. “This moment of the season, I knew it’s going to happen in any season in any team, you’ll have some moments where you can’t win games,” he explained.