Enzo Maresca's Prediction, Chelsea Can Dominate English Football

JAKARTA - Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said his team could dominate English football in the next five to 10 years.

Chelsea are in second place in the 2024/2025 Premier League standings with 28 points after silencing Southampton 5-1 on Thursday, December 5, 2024, early morning WIB.

That point is the same as Arsenal's, who was ranked third after beating Manchester United 2-0 on the same day.

The Blues won eight games, four draws, and have lost just twice during the current Premier League journey.

Although he reiterated his belief that Chelsea could not compete for this season's title, he said the club could become a great strength in the years to come.

"In the next five, 10 years, because of age, Chelsea can be one of the teams that dominates English football."

"I think we are in the right direction and in terms of personal targets. I know from outside, it's hard for you to believe," Marseca said.

Maresca's reason is not baseless. He inherited the squad containing many young players with an average age of 22 from Mauricio Pochettino, the previous manager.

With the young squad, Chelsea were unexpectedly able to push to the top of the Premier League. They even competed with Liverpool, Arsenal, and Manchester City, who in recent seasons have always been candidates for league champions.

However, for this season's edition, Maresca is reluctant to be happy. He saw the 2024/2025 season not their year to win the league.

"Arsenal have been there in the last two years, close to (Manchester City), and we are very far from Manchester City."

"Being in title competition is a good pressure for me and the players."

"We love that pressure, but it's not our goal because Arsenal have been there with Liverpool and Manchester City in the last two years."

"We weren't there. Hopefully soon, we can be there," said the Italian manager.

Enzo Maresca predicts that Chelsea will only be able to talk a lot the following season. In addition to young players, the way the Blues play under their direction has also proven to be fruitful.

"In terms of expectations, we exceeded my expectations, in the way we played and results."

"This is a very short time together. However, the best thing is that there are many things we can do better. We are heading in the right direction," said Maresca again.

Since winning the 2016/2017 Premier League with Antonio Conte, the Blues' journey in the fluctuating domestic competition.

They are five times in the top five of the final standings, fifth in (2017/2018), third in two (2018/2019 and 2021/2022), and second in fourth place (2019/2020 and 2020/2021).

While in the last two seasons, they have really not made the top. In the 2022/2023 season, Chelsea could even end the league in 12th place.

Then, last season, the Blues were knocked out of the top five and ended up in sixth place in the standings.