Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has urged his side to remain fully focused ahead of their Premier League clash against Southampton, cautioning that it will not be an easy game.

When asked if Chelsea should be expected to win, Maresca was measured in his response, dismissing the idea of straightforward victories in football.

“I don’t trust games, they can also be a tricky game. They are different. If you watch the game against Man United away, they were winning 1-0 and then in the last five minutes, Man United beat them,” Maresca explained.

The Italian went on to highlight the unpredictable nature of football and the challenge posed by every opponent.

“It’s a team, a complicated team, a tricky one. Every team is playing for something, so they will be tough,” he added.

When pressed about his choice of words in describing Southampton as ‘tricky,’ Maresca stood firm in his assessment.

“I really think that. It’s football. You are older than me, I guess, and you know better than me that football is full of these kinds of things.

“I’m not saying this as a message; I truly believe every game is tough. The difference sometimes is so small. We need to focus on how we need to win the game and no more than that,” he concluded.

Chelsea will need to be at their best against Southampton as they aim to return to winning ways in the league.