Chelsea are more than aware of the task in hand in order to achieve their goal and qualify for the Champions League for next season.
The Blues are currently fourth in the league, with it nearly confirmed that the top five in the Premier League will qualify for Europe’s top competition next season.
The first of nine crucial games for Enzo Maresca comes against one of their closest rivals, with Tottenham making the short trip to Stamford Bridge.
The boss has a number of immediate problems to solve in West London, with the lack of both creativity and output being a real issue in attack of late.
However, there are a few small factors which can go their way to ensure they bring the feelgood factor back, and The Chelsea Chronicle have listed three ways they can give Maresca his dream return to club action.
Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Enzo Maresca’s dream outcome for Chelsea vs Tottenham
Cole Palmer finally finds the net
It has been an unprecedented 10 games in a row in all competitions since Cole Palmer found the net, and Chelsea have suffered as a result of this.
The England international missed their last game against Arsenal because of an injury, however Palmer’s scan was all clear and there is hope that he can feature against Spurs.
Palmer was electric against Spurs earlier this season, scoring twice and setting up another in the 4-3 win away from home.
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Having their best player firing on all cylinders is going to be crucial in the run in to the end of the season, and there is no better occasion for Chelsea’s star man to return to form than a game against Spurs.
Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Romeo Lavia returns to starting side
It has been over two months since Romeo Lavia started for the Blues, with Chelsea being without one of their most impressive midfielders.
This has seen Reece James transition to midfield, however there may be an appetite for him to return to right-back after impressing there with England.
Maresca reported Lavia was close to a return before their last game against Arsenal, and this was proven when he came on late as a substitute.
Starting alongside Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez has brought joy for the Blues this season, and they will be hoping that it is a combination that they can rely on for the rest of the campaign.
Injured stars return for Chelsea
As well as Lavia, the likes of Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke will be pushing for a return from injury when the Blues are back in action in the Premier League.
Chelsea have desperately missed an outright striker in the last two months, even though Pedro Neto has impressed out of position there.
Jackson and Madueke are two of Chelsea’s top scorers this season, and with some tough games to come it feels like they are going to be essential to any hopes they have of Champions League football for next season.