Chelsea’s players have adapted to manager Enzo Maresca’s tactical approach faster than expected, but the Italian believes there’s still room for improvement. Speaking ahead of their Premier
League clash with Southampton, Maresca emphasized the need for continued progress despite a strong start to the season.
Appointed earlier this year, Maresca was tasked with guiding Chelsea back to the Champions League after the club’s disappointing finishes—sixth last season and 12th in the 2022-23 campaign.
Currently, Chelsea sit third in the Premier League standings with 25 points from 13 matches, level with Arsenal and trailing leaders Liverpool by nine points.
When asked if he was surprised by the team's performance, Maresca said, “Absolutely. I still see this as a significant challenge, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t focused on doing the right things. In terms of expectations, we are ahead of where I thought we’d be—both in how we’re playing and in the results. We’ve only been working together for a few months, which is a very short time.”
He added, “The most encouraging part is knowing there’s so much we can still improve on, and we’re moving in the right direction.”
Chelsea aim to extend their five-match unbeaten run in the league as they visit Southampton, who are currently bottom of the table. However, Maresca warned against underestimating their opponents, noting their recent strong performances against top teams like Liverpool and Manchester City, as well as a draw with Brighton.
“We need to be ready, or it could be a tough day for us. If you analyze their results, they’ve pushed some of the best teams. Their style is brave—they want to keep the ball, and so do we,” Maresca said.
The team will have to cope without defender Wesley Fofana, who suffered a hamstring injury during Chelsea’s 3-0 victory over Aston Villa. Maresca confirmed that Fofana will be sidelined for weeks, a significant blow given his strong partnership with Levi Colwill in defense.
“We’ll have to wait for more updates, but he’s definitely out for several weeks,” Maresca said. “Benoît Badiashile is one option, but we have other players who can step in. Losing Wes is tough because he’s been fantastic, but we need to adapt and find solutions.”
As Chelsea continues to exceed early-season expectations, Maresca’s focus remains on refining their performances and building consistency for the challenges ahead. Photo by Ank kumar, Wikimedia commons.