Former Man United defender Phil Jones has discussed Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea.
With Chelsea edging towards title contention, people are taking notice.
John Terry thinks Chelsea can beat any team, and if that’s the case, a title can’t be that far away.
Jones has recently assessed the Blues’ early-season form and whether he thinks they have what it takes to get to the top of the table.
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Phil Jones’ stance on Enzo Maresca and Chelsea
Jones is a Premier League champion himself and understands the significance of the task at hand.
Speaking to Sports Illustrated, he gives a thorough and frank assessment of Maresca and Chelsea, saying: “I think they’ve quietly gone about the business. I think they’ve gone under the radar a little bit this season where nobody’s really started to talk about them in a good way or in a bad way.
“So I think it’s quite a nice place to be at in terms of Maresca, what he’s thinking. I like the players they’ve got. I think he’s built a really good team there. I like his ideas.”
Enzo Maresca lifts the trophy after Chelsea FC v Paris Saint-Germain: Final - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
As for title prospects, Jones isn’t so sure.
He continues: “I still think they’re the one or two players short on being really challenging for the title, but I think, you know, slowly but surely. I think next year they’ll have a real good challenge if they recruit well.
“But I think that again they’re in a they’re in a good space. I think he’s doing a brilliant job.”
Not quite yet according to Jones, but close.
Phil Jones names Eden Hazard as his toughest opponent
That wasn’t the only time Chelsea came up in the interview. Jones, like many others, picks Eden Hazard when asked for his toughest opponent.
Phil Jones tackles Eden Hazard
Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images
He remarks: “I just couldn’t play against Eden Hazard. I thought he was that season where you know he was just on fire.
“He just had that sort of Messi-like low centre of gravity. You go tight. He spins you. He goes in behind. He drops short. I just found it really difficult.
“One, because he played in positions and pitches where you couldn’t really go in and engage because you left yourself exposed. And he was just so good with the ball.”
It has to be the most common answer players from that era give.
Hazard was a 1v1 demon, so when you did get close to him, it was usually with the Belgian breezing past.
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