Maresca acknowledges Chelsea are not title contenders yet

With the Blues currently sitting in fourth place on the table, Maresca feels that his team still have some work to do before they can compete with the top teams.

“I really don’t think we can compete with City and Arsenal,” he told reporters. 

“I really think that, because we are not ready.

“The reason why is that City are working with the same manager for nine years, Arsenal for five years. It’s something that if you want to compete for important things, you need that time.

“After Arsenal v Paris St Germain (on Tuesday), they asked the same to (PSG coach) Luis Enrique. He said the difference is that Arsenal have had the same manager for five years, (PSG) are one year and a half.

“We (Chelsea) are three months. It’s a huge difference. I’m really convinced that we cannot compete with that club. The target is to improve and slowly, slowly go close to them. But we are not in this moment ready for that.”