Enzo Maresca makes honest Chelsea title claim as Arsenal and Man City plan clear

Enzo Maresca has guided Chelsea to four wins from their opening six Premier League games, but does not believe the Blues are ready to compete with Manchester City and Arsenal

Enzo Maresca believes Chelsea are not yet Premier League title challengers despite their strong start to the season.

With the Blues fourth in the table having scored an impressive 15 goals in six games, things are looking good for the Stamford Bridge outfit after a frustrating few years. Despite the encouraging start, Maresca believes his team are not yet ready to challenge Manchester City and Arsenal.

“I really don’t think we can compete with City and Arsenal,” he said. “I really think that, because we are not ready.

“The reason why is that City are working with the same manager for nine years, Arsenal for five years. It’s something that if you want to compete for important things, you need that time.

“After Arsenal v Paris St Germain (on Tuesday), they asked the same to (PSG coach) Luis Enrique. He said the difference is that Arsenal have had the same manager for five years, (PSG) are one year and a half.

“We (Chelsea) are three months. It’s a huge difference. I’m really convinced that we cannot compete with that club. The target is to improve and slowly, slowly go close to them. But we are not in this moment ready for that.”

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Chelsea host Nottingham Forest on Sunday, aiming for their fourth consecutive league win, despite struggling against the same team at home in the past two seasons. The atmosphere at the club has significantly changed since Forest's last visit to Stamford Bridge a year ago when an Anthony Elanga goal secured a 1-0 victory for the visitors.

This was part of a period where the Blues struggled to find the net in three league games and only managed one win in six. But after much criticism of a transfer policy that has seen results stall whilst the club has stockpiled players at a cost of more than £1.2billion over two years, there are clear signs under Maresca of that approach finally bearing fruit.

“When you win games it always creates energy, trust, confidence,” he said. “It’s helping the process.

“But the players are the first to recognise when the team plays well or not. The results are helping but they are convinced because they can see clearly the purpose and identity we have.

“Results help (to bring calm). It’s the reason why it is what it is. For the first two months we had a lot of noise around the club, though I said inside it was quiet. Hopefully we can continue in the way we are now.

“I like to be focused on the things I can control. The only part I can control is the football side. All the noise around the club is something I can not control.”

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