Enzo Maresca insists Chelsea had no chance of competing for the Premier League title this season and that a top-five finish would represent success.
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Maresca aiming for top-five finishChelsea can't compete for titleOutlined what counts as successFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Blues sit fifth in the league table with two matches to play, having seemingly been competing for top spot earlier in the season. The Italian insists that was never likely to last, though, and that he will be satisfied with his team's efforts if they stay where they are in the league.
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Maresca said: "In the last two years we have finished 12th and sixth. It is not 10 or 15 years ago. I said many times already that we have had a good season, that can become a very good season if we are able to finish top five and also if we are able to win the Conference League. We had moments, for instance in the first five or six months, where we were second and third, so even better. Now we are there and we are going to ty to finish well."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
It was reported this week that Maresca will keep his job at Chelsea this summer and throughout next season before his position is reviewed next year, regardless of whether they secure a place in the Champions League.
AFPWHAT NEXT FOR CHELSEA?
Chelsea play Manchester United in the Premier League on Friday before a trip to Nottingham Forest on the last day of the season. They then play Real Betis in the Conference League final.