Enzo Maresca Explains Why Chelsea Aren’t Ready for Premier League Title Despite Brentford Win
Enzo Maresca has downplayed Chelsea’s Premier League title aspirations despite their impressive 2-1 victory over Brentford, marking their seventh consecutive win in all competitions.
The Blues have closed the gap to league leaders Liverpool to just two points, but Maresca believes his young team still has a lot to learn to become title contenders.
Maresca on Chelsea’s Readiness
The Chelsea head coach highlighted defensive lapses as a key area for improvement, particularly Brentford’s stoppage-time goal, which denied the Blues a clean sheet. He explained:
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“No matter how many games we win, I think we are not ready to compete for the title. A team that knows how to compete to win titles, they won’t concede goals we concede. A team that knows how to win titles, that is not a goal they know how to concede.”
Despite Chelsea boasting one of the league’s best defensive records, Maresca believes true title challengers must demonstrate consistency and ruthlessness in tight games.
Cucurella’s Red Card
Marc Cucurella, who opened the scoring with his first goal for the club, marred his night by receiving a red card after the final whistle for an altercation with Brentford’s Kevin Schade. While Maresca admitted he did not witness the incident, he acknowledged the referee’s explanation of Cucurella’s “bad attitude” and emphasized the need for discipline.
Chelsea’s Transformation Under Maresca
Since the start of May, Chelsea have been the Premier League’s most in-form team, with 15 wins, 51 goals scored, and 49 points collected—significantly improving on last season’s struggles. The Blues are 15 points better off compared to this stage last year, underscoring their resurgence under Maresca.
However, the coach tempered expectations, stressing that the team must focus on each match and avoid being distracted by the title race.
Nicolas Jackson’s Perspective
Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, who scored the second goal against Brentford, echoed his manager’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of staying grounded:
“We’re just trying to win every game and focus on the next one. I don’t look at the table. It’s all about getting more experience.”
Also read: Nicolas Jackson Compared to Didier Drogba After Standout Moment in Chelsea Win Over Brentford
Opposition View
Brentford boss Thomas Frank was proud of his team’s second-half performance and felt they deserved a point.
“We played a very good game. We were unlucky not to get something out of it. A draw would have been fair. Chelsea are a very good team, well coached, very good players. They are right up there in the title race.”
While Chelsea’s current form suggests they are a team on the rise, Maresca’s cautious approach reflects his focus on long-term development rather than immediate glory. With consistent performances and ongoing improvement, Chelsea may soon prove themselves ready to challenge for major honors.
Enzo Maresca Explains Why Chelsea Aren’t Ready for Premier League Title Despite Brentford Win
