Chelsea have a golden opportunity to climb into the top four.
Manchester City’s defeat earlier today has left them just one point ahead, and a win over struggling Leicester City at Stamford Bridge would see Chelsea move ahead of the champions.
Enzo Maresca has insisted his team must focus on one game at a time. “We need to win against Leicester and then focus on how we can beat Arsenal,” he said. “It’s just game by game, and we need our best players on the pitch.”
His side have struggled for consistency, but their recent home form has been a bright spot. Chelsea have won their last three league matches at Stamford Bridge, scoring nine goals in the process. Victory here would give Maresca his longest winning streak at home since taking charge.
Leicester arrive in dreadful form, having lost 11 of their last 12 league games. They have not won at Stamford Bridge in over 20 years and have suffered five straight defeats, failing to score in their last six home matches — a record for a top-flight side in a single season.
Despite that, Maresca remains respectful of his former club. “I’ve been in football for more than 30 years, and Leicester was probably the best place I’ve been in terms of the people,” he said. “I still speak with many of the players.”
That connection will be put aside on Sunday. Chelsea cannot afford to let sentiment get in the way of momentum.
They come into this game on the back of consecutive victories, including a 2-1 win at Copenhagen in the Europa Conference League. That result was another reminder of their need to be more clinical.
“Winning games helps,” Maresca said. “But our inside message has always been the same. We need to continue, we need to improve, and we need to be more clinical.”
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall will face his former club after gradually establishing himself in Chelsea’s midfield. “At the beginning, he struggled to accept not playing many games,” Maresca admitted. “Now, he has realised he needs to stay calm, and he’s much better.”
Moises Caicedo is one booking away from suspension, but Maresca will not consider resting him. “For us, it’s about winning games,” he insisted. “We cannot plan around Arsenal. We need to win against Leicester first.”
With City unexpectedly slipping, Chelsea must take advantage. They have been given a rare opportunity to gain ground in the top-four race. Anything less than three points would be a major step backwards.
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