Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has admitted his team must find more consistency if they want to challenge for the English Premier League title this season.
The Blues have shown strong performances against some of Europe’s biggest clubs, but a lack of stability in league results has left them drifting away from the top of the table.
Chelsea were six points behind league leaders Arsenal after a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge last month, but just one win from their next four league matches has pushed the gap to 10 points.
They now sit fourth in the table ahead of a major home clash against third-placed Aston Villa on Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
Lack of consistency
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Maresca admitted the difference between Chelsea and the teams above them comes down to consistency, especially against sides outside the traditional top clubs.
“Probably it’s correct in this moment, and it’s the reason why we are not probably in this moment close to the top is that we need to be more consistent against different kinds of teams,” Maresca said.
“And it’s one of the targets for the future, to try to improve how to play games against these kinds of teams, and hopefully we can continue to do the right things against big teams.”
Chelsea have already beaten champions Liverpool and Spanish champions Barcelona at Stamford Bridge this season, but have dropped key points elsewhere. Maresca believes the middle part of the season will be crucial in determining whether the club can stay in the title race.
“If you want to be there at the end of the season, you have to be consistent; otherwise, you struggle,” he added.
Focus on the second half the season
“That’s why I consider December, January and February important months, because after that I think you can set the targets in March, and hopefully we will be in a place where we can fight for something more.”
Maresca also addressed comments he made after the win over Everton, when he described the previous 48 hours as his “worst” at the club and suggested he and his players had not received the support he expected. He clarified the situation and played down any talk of issues behind the scenes.
“There are moments,” he said. “I think that happens in any moment in any family.”
He added that the frustration now comes from the issue still being discussed weeks later. “What annoys me is that after two or three weeks, we are still talking about the same thing when I’ve already clarified that there is not any problems with ones above, that I said one week ago before the Newcastle game.”
Chelsea will hope a win this weekend against Aston can help re-ignite their push towards the top of the table.
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