Enzo Maresca: Chelsea squad can ‘dominate English football’

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said his team could “dominate English football” over the next five to 10 years.

Chelsea sit third in the Premier League table and are level on points with Arsenal after 13 games with seven wins this season, four draws and just two defeats.

While he reiterated his belief that Chelsea cannot challenge for the title this season, he said the club could develop into a powerhouse in the coming years.

“In the next five, 10 years, Chelsea can be one of the teams that dominate English football because of their age,” Marseca said at a press conference ahead of Wednesday’s game against Southampton.

“I think we are on the right track and as far as the personal goal is concerned, I know that from the outside it is hard to believe. I’m focused on Southampton, but not on the end of the season.”

Asked whether Chelsea could win the Premier League this season, Maresca said: “Arsenal have been close to (Manchester City) in the last two years and we have been very far from City.”

“Being in the title race is a nice pressure for me and the players – we like that pressure – but that’s not our case because Arsenal have been there with Liverpool and City in the last two years and we haven’t been there.” Hopefully we can get there soon.”

Maresca, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino last summer, said the team was further along than he expected at this point in the season.

“As far as expectations go, we are ahead of my expectations in terms of how we play and the results,” Maresca said.

“It was only a very short time together, but the best thing is that we can do many things better and we are on the right track.”