TOTTENHAM vs CHELSEA: Enzo Maresca wants to get the best out of every Chelsea player at his disposal and insists his tough love will continue throughout the season as he bids to fire the big-spending Blues to success
Enzo Maresca is adamant Chelsea are not favourites against Tottenham despite their contrasting league positions
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Image: Getty Images)
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Enzo Maresca refutes Chelsea are favourites against Tottenham - despite being eight points ahead of their bitter rivals.
The free-scoring Blues are now firing on all cylinders under their Italian boss and being tipped as dark horses in the Premier League title race while Spurs have recorded just one victory - the impressive 4-0 demolition of Manchester City - in their past six matches.
Nonetheless, Maresca insists there is not much between the two sides, stating: "We are not favourites, I'm sorry.
"They are playing in European competition like us, we are there but it's not because now we are second in the table that we are favourites - absolutely not."
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Noni Madueke lauded Maresca's "honest and truthful" managerial style earlier this week, after the 44-year-old tactician accused the winger of resting on his laurels after scoring and assisting in Chelsea's five-star showing at Southampton on Wednesday night.
Maresca had previously dropped the England international against Aston Villa over his lack of intensity in training. And the Chelsea head coach has warned his high-flying stars that the tough love will continue if he senses a drop in performance levels.
He explained: "The only thing that I don't allow, not one of them in the squad, no matter who it is, is to drop in terms of intensity and in terms of working hard.
"Because the only way to reach something is if you work very hard, day by day. I've said this squad is full, full, full of talent.
Noni Madueke netted in the 5-1 win at Southampton but the Chelsea winger was still criticised by Enzo Maresca ( Image: Noni Madueke celebrates after scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Chelsea FC)
"If you put 25 players in this room and you closed your eyes and picked one, you're going to pick one full of talent but that's not enough.
"If you don't put together more things, you are not going to win games and to have a good moment. This is what they have to understand. Fortunately, at the moment, they are all aware of that."
When asked if there is a fine line between scrutiny and damaging a player's confidence, Maresca made it known that he only ever has their best interests at heart as he wants to ensure Chelsea fulfil their potential both this season and beyond.
The ex-Leicester boss added: "No, I think when you have a good intention, you don't have to be careful. You have to be careful when you have bad intentions.
"My intention with Reece [James] or my intention with Noni or my intention with the next one that I don't know who it will be, it's not because there is any bad intention.
"It's just because I really care about them and because I really want the best for them, no more than that."
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