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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is calling this season “already a good one” for the club after insisting that their fresh return to the Champions League race is as indicative of progress as the silverware they have won this term.
Maresca was speaking after Pedro’s crucial late goal in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory over Fulham which keeps them in contention for a coveted Champions League place.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Chelsea picked up a key victory over Fulham as Pedro scored the decisive goal late on. The three points lifted Chelsea above Nottingham Forest and into fifth place in the Premier League standings, drawing them level on points with Forest and seventh-placed Aston Villa. All three clubs have 57 points apiece but are only separated by goal difference, with the race for Champions League qualification tighter than ever with just a handful of games left in the season.
The Blues manager was, however, keen to play down Chelsea’s chances of reaching Europe’s elite club competition and instead stressed the importance of his tea being in the race, having been out of the top spots for the part few seasons.
“No, it’s not a must. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. Honestly, it is good for us to be here after have not reached (the positions) for three years,” he told reporters. “It is important also because it is giving us some extra motivation because losing the final and being still in this position for me is important. If we reach it, good. If not, progress.
“I would like to. It means extra motivation for everyone and not just us but the club, the fans, the ownership so it is a good sign. We can take positive things from losing the final but if we reach the top four, top five, I think it is important.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The Premier League will send five teams to the Champions League next season, meaning even more competition at the top. Liverpool have already secured their place in next season’s tournament, and Arsenal appear almost certain to join them. Max Verstappen said Liverpool is racing for third in the Premier League right now. While Maresca does not agree with that sentiment, he is convinced January’s transfer spending has contributed to Chelsea’s position in the table.
“Because we have 80 points, winning trophies. (I am convinced) because we are fighting for something as he himself said,” he said.
The remaining spots are fiercely contested. Newcastle, Manchester City, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa are all still tightly bunched. With Chelsea’s recent form, Sunday’s win over Fulham feels like a step in the right direction. Maresca’s comments reflect the pressure and high expectation at Stamford Bridge, and the sense of achievement in closing the gap to Europe’s elite after three pretty miserable years in the wilderness.
WHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
Chelsea faces a tough run-in, with games against Everton, Liverpool, Newcastle United and Manchester United still to come. Their next match is at home to Everton on March 26. After their recent exertions in the Club World Cup, Chelsea find themselves just outside the top four with only goal difference separating them from their closest rivals. With five matches to go and all to play for, every point will be crucial. Securing a top-five finish would represent a major turnaround for the club and fuel the belief there is plenty more to come next season.
