Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is adamant the club will “dominate” the Premier League in the next five to 10 years, Afrosport reports.
The 44-year-old has downplayed Chelsea’s chances of winning the title this season, despite the team occupying the third spot in the league standings, level on points and goal difference with Arsenal, who are seen as challengers.
Maresca led the Blues to a well-deserved 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Sunday to overtake champions Manchester City, but the team is still far off the top as they trail leaders Liverpool by nine points.
With Chelsea performing beyond expectations this campaign, Maresca has tried to turn down any claims the team is ready to compete for titles, citing the age of the players as well as the experience of the other top teams.
“We’re not in the title race. We are not, in my opinion,” Maresca stated during his pre-match conference for Chelsea’s match against Southampton. “[Arsenal] have been there in the last few years, very close to [Manchester] City. And we were very far to City.”
He added: “What I said to the owners and the sporting directors the first time I met them, because of the age, and because of how good the squad is, for me Chelsea in the next five to 10 years will be one of the teams, or the team, that is going to dominate English football.
“This is what I said this to the club the first time I met them. No matter who will be the manager, for the next five or 10 years, because of the age, the squad, you can dominate English football, and I still think exactly the same.
“In terms of a target they didn’t ask me for any target, only to try to build something important for the next years. I think we are [heading] in the right direction.
“In terms of a personal target, I know you struggle to believe but I’m not focused on [the] end of season, next season, because it’s not real.
⏭️ Chelsea (h)
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— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 2, 2024
Chelsea head to St. Mary’s Stadium to take on Southampton in the Premier League, with the Saints boasting a good record against the Blues in recent times with just two losses in their last seven encounters.
Maresca’s side will be without the injured defensive duo of Wesley Fofana and Reece James, but the Italian says he is expecting a tough battle against “a very brave” Southampton team.
