Enzo Maresca believes his highflying Chelsea side will come to dominate English football within the next decade - but explained why he fears Wednesday night’s trip to struggling Southampton will be their “toughest game” of the season so far.
The Blues are third in the Premier League, level on points and goal-difference with second-place Arsenal following their comprehensive 3-0 victory over Aston Villa last weekend.
Maresca has, however, repeatedly dismissed the suggestion that they are ready to contend for the title on account of a lack of experience, with his starting XIs this season easily the youngest in the Premier League.
The Blues have completed a huge overhaul of their squad under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s ownership, with a focus on signing players aged 24 and under, and Maresca says their potential will come to the fore in the coming years - whether or not he is still in charge.
“I still think what I said to owners and sporting directors the first time I met them,” Maresca said. “Because of the age and how good the squad is, for me, Chelsea in the next five or ten years will be the team or one of the teams that will dominate English football.
“This is what I said to the club the first time I met them. No matter who will be the manager, because of the squad and the age, you can dominate English football.”
Under Maresca, Chelsea have lost just two games in the Premier League this season, against Manchester City and Liverpool, and Arsenal are the only other side to have got the better of the Blues since February.
Southampton, meanwhile, sit bottom of the division having won just once all season, and Maresca’s Leicester side won the two Championship meetings between the clubs by an aggregate score of 9-1 last term.
However, Saints come off an encouraging Friday night draw at Brighton and Maresca has told his players they cannot afford to underestimate Russell Martin’s side.
“It’s the worst game since we started the season for us,” he said. “It will be the toughest game since we started the season. We need to be ready otherwise it will be a bad day for us.
“The reason why is because if you analyse the results they are there [bottom of the table] but in terms of performance, they were winning against Liverpool, the lost 1-0 against Manchester City, they drew the last game against Brighton.
“The way they play since last year, I know them well and they are very brave. It’s very clear what they want, which is to keep the ball and we want the same. For sure it will be a tough, tough game and we need to be ready.”
