As the Premier League season draws to a close, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is under no illusions about the challenges that lie ahead. With just seven games remaining, the Italian manager has warned fans and players alike to brace themselves for a difficult end to the campaign.

Speaking to the club’s official website, Maresca stressed the importance of treating every opponent with the utmost respect, regardless of their position on the table. “It will be a tough game, no doubt,” Maresca said as he previewed the Blues’ upcoming fixture.

Chelsea’s next clash see the Blues take on Ipswich Town, a team battling for survival and fighting tooth and nail for every point. But Maresca insists that facing relegation-threatened teams often brings its own set of problems. “In this moment, any team you face is complicated. No matter if it’s Southampton, Ipswich or Leicester City, because they want to show themselves and finish in the right way. They don’t like to lose games, so it will be tough.”

Enzo Maresca knows his side can’t afford any slip-ups if they want to end the season on a high. With aspirations still alive – whether it’s a push for a European spot or simply securing a strong finish – the Blues must navigate a challenging schedule filled with motivated opponents.

Maresca concluded with a clear objective for the next fixture: “We have seven games, all of them very difficult. The first one is Ipswich and hopefully we can get the three points.”