Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca clarified on Tuesday that he faces no pressure from the club to secure a top-four Premier League finish in his debut season. Instead, the Italian is committed to building a sustainable future for Chelsea, as he revealed ahead of the League Cup round of 16 clash against Newcastle United on Wednesday.
Chelsea heads into the League Cup showdown at Newcastle fresh off a 2-1 Premier League win over the same team at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Maresca’s side is currently fifth in the league standings with 17 points, just one point behind Arsenal in third place. However, the club’s hierarchy is focused on long-term progress rather than immediate results.
In his press conference, Maresca revealed Chelsea’s focus on building a stable foundation: “The club never mentioned to me about top four. They always said the target was to build something important for the next four or five years.” While daily efforts are aimed at success, Maresca noted, the club remains grounded in its broader ambitions rather than immediate league standings.
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With no fresh injury concerns, Maresca confirmed that defender Wesley Fofana is fit to play despite a minor knock from Sunday’s match. Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho, the former Manchester United winger on loan at Chelsea, has been benched in the last two games due to tactical choices, Maresca explained.
“Players can’t maintain the same level throughout the season due to the amount of games,” he said, assuring that Sancho is expected to see more playing time. “He’s been doing well and will get his chances. He just needs to continue working hard.”
Chelsea made it to the League Cup final last season under previous manager Mauricio Pochettino, ultimately falling to Liverpool in a hard-fought extra-time battle. Now, with Maresca at the helm, the Blues are eyeing a fresh path to the trophy, one that could further solidify his long-term vision.
