Cutting a dejected figure, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has said his team are nowhere close to competing with the best teams in the Premier League.
His comments came after Chelsea suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Ipswich Town in their final match of 2024 and dropped to fourth place in the rankings. The Pensioners, who could have finished the year in second place with a victory on Monday, 30th December, are now 10 points behind leaders Liverpool despite playing a game more.
A stellar display by 21-year-old English forward Liam Delap saw Ipswich claim their first Premier League win at Portman Road Stadium in 22 years. Delap scored from the penalty spot in the 12th minute before setting up Omari Hutchinson’s insurance goal in the 53rd minute.
Enzo Maresca Says Chelsea Nowhere Close to Competing for the Premier League Title
Chelsea finished the game with 76% possession, 20 shots — 11 more than Ipswich — and an xG of 2.00. However, their finishing was not up to the mark.
After seeing his team slip to a second consecutive defeat in the English top flight, Maresca said (via Irish Independent):
“We expected this kind of moment during the season because we know this kind of moment belongs to football.
“It is almost impossible to have a season where you don’t have a moment like now for us, but at the same time, not one of us in this room expected us to be where we are now.”
He added:
“This means and shows we are in the right direction, as I said many times, but also shows we are far from competing and consistency and to be there with the best teams in England.
“So, again, I think we are to be satisfied with where we are, but at the same time, we have to know that we need to do many things better.”
Chelsea have exceeded expectations this season, scoring 38 goals and emerging as the second-most prolific side in the division behind Liverpool. If the West London side can learn from their slip-ups against Fulham and Ipswich, there is no reason they cannot return to the UEFA Champions League next season.
