Chelsea Ready Despite Short Pre-Season – Maresca
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca believes his side is prepared for the new Premier League campaign despite having a short pre-season, but admits the true test will come once competitive action begins.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s opening fixture against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge bridge, Maresca said:
We guess we are ready. But we need to wait for the real competition to verify that. It has been quite a short break. We are going to try to be ready.”
Chelsea’s run to the FIFA Club World Cup, which followed immediately after last season, meant their summer preparations were limited.
The Blues played only two pre-season games, winning both against Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AC Milan, yet Maresca is confident the squad has the sharpness to hit the ground running.
Since joining last season, Maresca has overseen an impressive revival at Stamford Bridge.
He guided Chelsea back into the UEFA Champions League after a two-year absence by securing a 4th-place finish, while also lifting the UEFA Europa Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup.
With silverware already on his CV and a refreshed squad at his disposal, the Italian will be aiming to build on last season’s successes and push Chelsea closer to the top of English football.