Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has stated that it is crucial to win against Nottingham Forest on Sunday in an attempt to book a slot in the Champions League next season. Speaking before the Premier League win-or-bust match at the City Ground, Maresca said in his press conference:
“We are quite lucky. If we win, we do our job, we don’t need to pay attention to other results. If we are not winning, we have to pay attention. We have the privilege that it depends on us. [The players] know – they are aware that it’s an important game. The most important one.”
Chelsea sit fifth in the table, level with Newcastle and Aston Villa on points but ahead of them on goal difference. A win against Forest would take them into Europe’s top competition irrespective of other results. But a defeat or draw might miss them out, depending on their opponents’ performance.
Responding to the pressure of performing in such an important game, Maresca continued:
“When you join Chelsea you feel the pressure from day one. You don’t need this game to feel pressure. It’s a club where you need to win games. We won many games this season – but we probably need one more, the most important one.”
Who is Available for Chelsea’s Important Clash
The Blues will be without striker Nicolas Jackson through suspension. Maresca has indicated, though, that forwards Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu are fit to play, posing attacking options. Reece James, who played for the full 90 minutes versus Manchester United last week, is fit and will be handled gently in order to have him available.
Nottingham Forest’s match kicks off at 4 pm BST on Sunday. Victory would not just earn Champions League qualification but also give a positive build-up to the Conference League final in Poland. Chelsea have Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final just three days after playing Forest.