ENZO Maresca insists he is not playing down the pressure by denying Chelsea are in a title race, and more reflecting the “reality”.
The Blues could have gone top of the Premier League at the weekend but could only draw 0-0 at Everton before leaders Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 6-3 in their later game to go four points clear at the top.
Maresca accepts the side are “ahead of expectation” with their points’ tally after seventeen games and in their performances.
Maresca hasn’t written off Manchester City, who are seventh after just one win in their last eight league games.
Chelsea host Fulham on Boxing Day.
“It’s the reality for me, not about the pressure,” Maresca said in his pre-match press conference on Christmas Eve. “I would like that kind of pressure. I say we are not there because that is the reality for me. The main point is to continue to improve and to win games.
“We are ahead of our expectation in terms of the way we are playing and points. For us, the main focus is to see how we can improve the players and how we can improve the team.
“It’s almost halfway [through the season] so the table reflects the teams and where they are. Liverpool are doing fantastic since the first day. The squad already live that kind of moment, it’s important. We are happy to be where we are in this moment.
“I think Manchester City in the end will be there. They are living something that probably never happened before. They have a new injury at the end of every game. It is a very bad situation.”
One player who has emerged as key for Maresca is Enzo Fernandez. The Argentina midfielder has three goals and four assists in his last seven league games.
Maresca said: ”It’s good the player can focus on what they are able to do and we try to help them. With Enzo we are very happy. We moved him in the pocket for the last half an hour. He is helping us a lot. He is growing with leadership also.”
Maresca said Romeo Lavia was “still recovering”. He added: “He’s much better, he’s already on the pitch and still working. We’re still in the same situation.”
