Enzo Maresca is “convinced” that Chelsea already have enough talent at their disposal to challenge for titles.
In a first full interview with the club’s official media, the new manager has set out his stall for pushing the Blues back towards the top table of the Premier League after 12th and sixth-placed finishes in the past two seasons.
Chelsea are, as ever, plotting several new signings this summer having acquired Marc Guiu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Omari Kellyman and Tosin Adarabioyo. Further incomings are expected with Aaron Anselmino and Renato Veiga close to joining.
But Maresca is confident that there is plenty of quality available to him as pre-season begins, which was one of the main factors in him joining from Leicester.
“I’m very excited,” he said.
“One of the reasons I’m here is because I’m convinced the squad is very good and full of talent.
“The most important thing now is we’re able to create the right culture that drives us for the season.
“I always say the same: if you are able to improve players then you are able to improve the team. So it’s our target to try to improve all of them day by day.”
Maresca also detailed his approach to how Chelsea will set up during his first season.
The 44-year-old Italian, an energetic playmaker during his playing days, wants to be “aggressive on and off the ball” with the help of the fans to drive the team on.
“In this moment, when you join a club you try to analyse what the club and team needs to improve and do the right things,” he added.
“For me, it’s clear we need to create as soon as possible the right mentality and culture, a culture that the fans can be proud of. This is very important.
“We are going to try to be an aggressive team on the ball and off the ball and we need to create this connection between the fans and the club, especially at home.
“When you have your own fans behind the team pushing, it’s like playing with 12 players and this is what we have to create here.”
