EPL: Chelsea's Enzo Maresca Warns of Southampton Threat

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca is expecting a tough test against Southampton, who have recently pushed Liverpool and Manchester City to narrow wins.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed satisfaction with the team's progress in implementing his playing style. According to Maresca, the players have adapted to his tactics faster than he anticipated.

Despite the encouraging signs, Maresca emphasized that there is still room for improvement. With a Premier League match against Southampton on the horizon, the Italian manager is pushing his team to continue growing and developing.

Maresca took the reins at Chelsea earlier this year, tasked with the objective of securing a Champions League spot. The team had finished sixth in the previous season and a disappointing 12th in the 2022-23 campaign.

Chelsea currently occupies third place in the standings, having accumulated 25 points from 13 games. They are level with second-placed Arsenal and trail leaders Liverpool by nine points. When asked if he was surprised by his team's strong performance, Maresca replied: “For sure. I still consider this a big job, but this doesn't mean, because it's a big job, you are not thinking to do the right things.”

Maresca acknowledged that Chelsea's progress has exceeded his initial expectations. He stated: “In terms of expectation, we are ahead of my expectation, in the way we are playing and in terms of results.” However, he also emphasized that it is still early days for his team, saying: “We started four or five months ago; it's very, very, very, very early, a short time together.”

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is pleased with his team's progress, stating that they have exceeded his initial expectations. “In terms of expectation, we are ahead of my expectation, in the way we are playing and in terms of results,” he said. Despite the promising start, Maresca acknowledged that the team is still in its early stages of development. “We started four or five months ago; it's very, very, very, very early, a short time together.”

Maresca expressed optimism about Chelsea's future prospects, highlighting the team's potential for growth. “But the best feeling I have is that there are many things we can do better and we are (going) in the right direction,” he said. Chelsea will aim to extend their five-game unbeaten run in the league when they host Southampton. However, Maresca cautioned against underestimating the south-coast club, despite their current position at the bottom of the standings.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has warned his team to be prepared for a tough match against Southampton, citing the south-coast club's recent performances against top teams. Liverpool and Manchester City both narrowly defeated Southampton in recent weeks, while Russell Martin's side also managed a draw with fourth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion in their last league fixture. Maresca emphasized the importance of being ready for the challenge, saying: “We need to be ready otherwise it will be a bad day for us and the reason why is because, if you analyse the results, they are there.”

Maresca expressed admiration for Southampton's playing style, which he has been familiar with since his time in the Championship. “The way they have played since last year... I know them quite well,” he said. “They are very brave and it's very clear what they want, they want to keep the ball and we want the same.” This similarity in approach could lead to an intriguing match, with both teams seeking to dominate possession.

Maresca also provided an update on the injury status of defender Wesley Fofana, who limped off the pitch in Chelsea's 3-0 win over Aston Villa on Sunday. Unfortunately, Fofana has been diagnosed with a hamstring injury that will keep him sidelined for weeks.

The injury to Wesley Fofana will be a significant blow to Chelsea's defense, as the Frenchman had formed a strong partnership with Levi Colwill at the heart of the team's backline. Fofana's absence will be keenly felt, and manager Enzo Maresca is awaiting further news on the extent of the injury.

Maresca provided an update on Fofana's condition, saying: “We need to wait a little bit and hopefully we can get some more news in the next days.” The Chelsea manager is hopeful that the injury is not too severe, but the team will have to adapt to Fofana's absence in the short term.

“But, for sure, he will be out for the next weeks. It depends on the gameplan, Benoit (Badiashile) could be one of the solutions, but we have different players that can play there.

“It's a big loss because Wes was doing fantastic every game, but we need to accept it and find a solution.”