Chelsea Boss Maresca Confident Chelsea Will Challenge City’s Dominance

Chelsea’s manager, Enzo Maresca, strongly believes that his team, which has recently undergone expensive renovations, is on the verge of competing with Manchester City for the Premier League championship.

Maresca, who joined Chelsea from Leicester this season, becomes the club’s latest manager under Todd Boehly’s ownership, which commenced in 2022. Chelsea found themselves a considerable 28 points shy of City last season amidst a summer filled with significant changes and an aggressive recruitment strategy by Boehly, leading to an oversized squad under Maresca’s tutelage.

Following his successful campaign with Leicester that led to their promotion, Maresca’s first major challenge in the Premier League presents itself when they host City, aiming for their fifth consecutive title. The 44-year-old Italian, previously part of City manager Pep Guardiola’s coaching team, is convinced his new side can rise against his former team, stressing the importance of time for Chelsea to bridge the gap with the leading teams.

“For me, my opinion, the big difference between us and other teams dominating English football is just a matter of time,” Maresca emphasized during a press conference.

With Mauricio Pochettino’s departure at season’s end, following the short stints of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, Boehly’s hopes are pinned on Maresca replicating Mikel Arteta’s achievements at Arsenal post-Guardiola tenure. Chelsea’s roster now flaunts 10 new signings, a £185 million investment, boosting the squad to 43 players.

Maresca remains optimistic about closing the competitive gap, backed by visible team performance progress. Amidst squad optimizations, midfielder Conor Gallagher’s unresolved transfer situation has seen him training separately, pending a deal between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid for striker Samu Omorodion.

“Conor is back, he’s training in this moment a little bit apart,” Maresca noted, confirming Gallagher’s absence for the upcoming City match and expressing hope for a resolution pleasing all parties involved.