Enzo Maresca: Chelsea can 'dominate English football' in next five to 10 years due to squad age and quality
Published 03/12/2024 at 13:58 GMT
Chelsea have invested heavily in their squad over the last two years, bringing in a number of young players on long-term deals. Head coach Enzo Maresca insists they can "dominate" English football in the near future and says they are going in the "right direction". The Blues boss, though, has reiterated that he does not believe Chelsea are in this season's Premier League title race.
Maresca: Chelsea not in title race but can 'dominate English football' in next 5-10 years
Video credit: SNTV
Enzo Maresca believes Chelsea have the squad profile to "dominate" English football in the next five to 10 years and says they are "ahead of expectations" this season.
Chelsea have invested heavily since Todd Boehly took charge in May 2022, signing a number of young players on long-term deals.
Cole Palmer, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia, Malo Gusto and Moises Caicedo are among those contracted until at least 2030.
"I still think what I said to the owners and sporting director the first time I met them: because of the age and because how good the squad is, Chelsea in the next five to 10 years will be one of the teams, or the team, that will dominate English football," said Chelsea head coach Maresca.
"This is what I said to the club the first time I met them, no matter who will be the manager, for the next five to 10 years, because of the age and because of the squad, you can dominate English football and I still feel exactly the same.
"They didn’t ask me any targets, they only asked me to build something important for the next years and I think we are in the right direction."
Chelsea have impressed this season under Maresca, currently sitting third in the Premier League table, level on points with second-placed Arsenal, and top of the UEFA Conference League league phase.
"In terms of expectation, we are ahead of my expectations in the way we are playing and the results," said Maresca.
"It's been a very short time together but the best thing is that there are many things we can do better and we are going in the right direction."
Chelsea will be looking for a fourth win in a row in all competitions when they go to Southampton in midweek.
Although they are level on points with Arsenal, Maresca has reiterated that he does not believe Chelsea are in the Premier League title race.
"Arsenal have been there in the last two years close to Man City and we have been very far from City," he added.
"To be in the title race is a nice pressure for me and the players - we like that pressure - but it is not our case because Arsenal in the last two years they have been there with Liverpool and City and we were not there. Hopefully soon, we can be there."
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