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Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca admits there’s a big difference between his team and new champions Liverpool. However, he believes Chelsea are moving in the right direction and can eventually close that gap.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Maresca spoke before Sunday’s big game at Stamford Bridge. He talked about the difference between his squad and Liverpool. He said, “The gap is there, and you can see it clearly. But I feel we’re moving in the right direction. Hopefully, this gap can get smaller.” Chelsea are fifth in the table and 22 points behind Liverpool. Despite being far behind, Maresca is hopeful after five wins in their last eight matches. Chelsea have a young team and have set a league record by not playing anyone over 27 in 34 straight matches. This shows the club is changing.
CHELSEA’S SEASON SO FAR
Liverpool recently won the title after a 5-1 win over Tottenham. Meanwhile, Chelsea are still fighting to qualify for the Champions League. They have a 49.4% chance of finishing in the top five. Key players like Cole Palmer have become leaders. He has 14 goals and 8 assists in 33 matches. Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke have also played a part, but the team shows inconsistency and inexperience at times. Maresca points to Liverpool’s experienced team as a model to follow, especially after Liverpool rebuilt through signings like Virgil van Dijk and Alisson in 2018.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR CHELSEA AND LIVERPOOL?
The teams play on Sunday, with Chelsea looking to improve their Champions League chances. Liverpool are top with 82 points, while Chelsea hold fifth at 60 points. They are four points ahead of sixth-place Newcastle and five behind fourth-place Manchester United. A win for Chelsea would really help their European ambitions. Meanwhile, Liverpool, under new boss Arne Slot, want to end their title-winning season strongly. After this game, Chelsea will play Brighton and Liverpool will finish their season as champions, looking to continue their form into next year.
