Enzo Maresca has warned onlookers to not choose Chelsea in opposition to their previous glory days and urged supporters to “belief” him after taking a big step in direction of Champions League qualification on Friday.
Marc Cucurella’s 71st-minute aim gave the Blues a hard-fought 1-0 win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge which took them as much as fourth place within the Premier League desk.
The highest 5 will safe a spot in Europe’s premier membership competitors subsequent season and victory at Nottingham Forest on the ultimate day will assure Chelsea’s place.
Nonetheless, Maresca believes Chelsea’s critics are assessing the membership in opposition to their illustrious current previous below former proprietor Roman Abramovich, once they received 21 trophies together with two Champions League throughout 19 years.
“For me, personally the issue is normally, you, the press,” Maresca informed Sky Sports activities. “You suppose it’s the identical Chelsea from years in the past. It’s not the identical.
“I do not suppose since I’m right here, we expect extra money than different golf equipment. It’s about constructing one thing essential. Folks must belief us — we’re stepping into the suitable course.”
A relieved Maresca and his bench as nicely gamers and followers celebrated wildly on the ultimate whistle.
“Off the ball I believe we performed a improbable recreation,” Maresca added. “The group was very aggressive till the top, we tried to press greater, and I believe we deserved to win the sport.
“It’s good to work on some options and then you definitely rating.”
It was the final dwelling recreation of the season for Chelsea, whose kind has run cold and warm below since Maresca took over, they usually circled the bottom with a lap of honour earlier than leaving the pitch
“The Champions League is the place the membership belongs, competing in the perfect competitions,” Reece James, who supplied the help for Cucurella’s winner, informed Sky Sports activities.
“Folks like to write down us off and name us younger, however it’s an skilled Manchester United group and we did what we would have liked to do to get the three factors.”
Data from Reuters contributed to this report.
