Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has spoken out about his club's Premier League title chances against Liverpool and rivals
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Enzo Maresca was defeated by Arne Slot in October
Enzo Maresca was defeated by Arne Slot in October
(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has rubbished suggestions that his team are in the title race, with the Blues sitting nine points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool. The Reds beat Chelsea 2-1 in October when Arne Slot and Maresca met for the first time.
The Reds and Chelsea are the Premier League’s two most in-form teams over the last five games, with the pair unbeaten in that period. Liverpool are actually yet to lose in the league in nine fixtures while Chelsea have not lost since that defeat at Anfield.
Liverpool’s win over Manchester City on Sunday opened up an 11-point chasm to the champions. Wins for Chelsea and Arsenal against Aston Villa and West Ham this weekend took both clubs above Pep Guardiola’s side.
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However, Maresca, formerly assistant to Guardiola at City, is not having any title talk despite being level on points with Arsenal. Asked whether he still believes his side are not in the title race, he reiterated: "Absolutely.
“Arsenal have been there in the last two years close to Man City and we have been very far from City. To be in the title race is a nice pressure for me and the players, we like that pressure.
“But it is not our case because Arsenal in the last two years they have been there with Liverpool and City and we were not there. Hopefully soon, we can be there."
Liverpool travel to Newcastle United on Wednesday as Chelsea make the trip to Southampton before Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend. The Reds face Everton at Goodison Park for the final time in the Premier League on Saturday lunchtime.