Chelsea’s Progress Under Maresca: A Cautious Outlook Despite Strong Start

Chelsea’s resurgence under the management of Enzo Maresca has caught the attention of many in the football world. With a strong beginning to the season, winning seven of their opening ten matches and netting an impressive 27 goals, the Blues find themselves fourth in the Premier League, just two points adrift of league leaders Liverpool. Despite this, Maresca remains cautious about Chelsea’s immediate prospects of competing with the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal.

Maresca’s Realistic Expectations

Enzo Maresca has made it clear that patience is key in his first season at Stamford Bridge. Speaking after Chelsea’s 4-2 victory over Gent in the Europa Conference League, the Italian manager tempered expectations. “I really don’t think we can compete with City or Arsenal,” he stated. This candid assessment reveals a manager aware of the scale of the challenge he faces, even as his team delivers on the pitch.

Maresca pointed out that City’s long-term stability under Pep Guardiola, now in his ninth season, and Arsenal’s consistency under Mikel Arteta, in his fifth year, are major factors in their current dominance. In comparison, Maresca has only been at the helm for a few months. “Imagine us, only three months… so it’s a huge difference. So I am really convinced we cannot compete with those clubs,” he added.

This pragmatic approach from Maresca highlights a manager who understands the long-term demands of football success. While Chelsea have invested heavily in recent transfer windows, spending £1.5 billion over the last five windows, Maresca insists that success requires more than just financial backing—it demands time.

Building for Long-Term Success

Chelsea’s transformation under Maresca has been promising, but the manager’s words underline the importance of long-term planning. With key players like Carney Chukwuemeka and Reece James sidelined, Maresca recognises the limitations of his squad’s depth compared to clubs like City and Arsenal, who have enjoyed sustained periods of managerial consistency and tactical refinement.

Maresca’s comments following Arsenal’s victory over PSG in the Champions League also drew attention. “After Arsenal beat PSG they asked Luis Enrique and he said the same thing—that Arsenal have had the same manager for five years and them only a year and a half.” This acknowledgment of Arsenal’s stability further cements Maresca’s belief that Chelsea are not yet at the same level.

While Chelsea’s new ownership under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital has injected significant financial resources, Maresca is clear that it is not enough to bridge the gap in such a short space of time. “The target is to improve and slowly, slowly to get closer to those clubs but at the moment we are not ready for that,” he stated.

City’s Influence on Maresca’s Perspective

Maresca’s understanding of City’s dominance is personal, having worked under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City as an assistant coach. This experience has given him an insider’s view of what it takes to build a club capable of winning consistently at the highest level. His perspective is one shaped by the knowledge that tactical cohesion, stability, and time are essential ingredients for sustained success.

Chelsea’s attacking play under Maresca has been a highlight of their campaign so far, but the Italian manager is keen to manage expectations. He acknowledges that City’s nine-year evolution under Guardiola is a critical factor in their current success, and that Chelsea’s project is still in its infancy. Maresca’s focus is on steady progress, not instant results.

Patience the Key for Chelsea

Maresca’s emphasis on patience and gradual improvement is a refreshing reminder of the realities of football management. Despite the early promise, he knows Chelsea are still a work in progress. The foundations are being laid, but the results will take time. His repeated calls for time and patience are a message to the fans and the board alike, as Chelsea embark on what could be a long-term project under his stewardship.

“There is no timeframe because you can continue to improve and add solutions to things always,” Maresca said, leaving no doubt that he views Chelsea’s rebuild as a marathon, not a sprint.

As Chelsea prepare for their upcoming Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest, the focus remains on steady improvement rather than lofty ambitions. For Maresca, the goal is clear—close the gap with City and Arsenal, but do so in a way that ensures sustained success in the years to come.