The Blues Aim to Recover Form and Secure a Top-Four Finish
Enzo Maresca, Chelsea’s manager, has stressed the urgency of improving their recent performances as they prepare for an important clash against Aston Villa. With just two victories in their last nine league fixtures, Chelsea have dropped to sixth place, trailing fourth-positioned Manchester City by a single point.
“We are all disappointed because these results are not acceptable. We understand that this is a club where we fight for trophies, not just to compete,” Maresca stated during a press conference on Friday.
Despite the downturn, Maresca remains optimistic about his squad. “These are the same players who spent most of the season in the top four, even in second place for long periods. Going through this phase will ultimately make them stronger and more experienced professionals.”
Chelsea suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in their last outing and have been struggling in away matches, with their last away victory dating back to December 8 against Tottenham Hotspur.
Maresca reaffirmed that qualifying for the Champions League remains a priority. “We’ve been in the top four for the majority of the season, and with 13 games left, our goal is still to finish there. We will give everything to make that happen.”
He also addressed concerns about perception, adding, “When you win games, people see you as humble. When you lose, it appears as if there’s a lack of ambition. The reality is, we are fully committed to turning things around.”
Injuries have played a significant role in Chelsea’s struggles, with key players such as Nicolas Jackson, Chukwunonso Madueke, Romeo Lavia, and Wesley Fofana unavailable for Saturday’s fixture. However, defender Malo Gusto is set to return after recovering from an injury sustained against Brighton.
Chelsea will now look to bounce back and regain momentum in their pursuit of a top-four finish.
