Enzo Maresca: 'Chelsea's season already good'

A last gasp Pedro Neto winner at Fulham kept Chelsea's momentum going in the race for UEFA Champions League football.

Wins for both Manchester City and Aston Villa on Saturday meant that Sunday's three points at Craven Cottage were vital for Chelsea's season.

A top five Premier League finish will secure a seat at the top table of European football next campaign and the Blues currently occupy the last of those spots on goal difference.

Enzo Maresca has been the subject of increasing scrutiny in recent weeks but the Italian reiterated that Chelsea's campaign has already been a positive one, irrespective of whether they achieve a Champions League berth or not.

"I said three or four days ago, and I will repeat, Chelsea in the last two years have never been in the Champions League spots and this season we spent all season there," Maresca said whilst reflecting on a dramatic west London derby win.

"But for sure, today was an important win because first of all it's a derby, second, it gives us the chance to be there. And probably it was the most difficult win, and the reason why is because they (league rivals) all played yesterday.

Today's win doesn't change my view. It's already a good season and can become very good if we finish in the Champions League spots, no doubt.

Twice winners of the Champions League, Chelsea have been absent from the competition since 2023.

Maresca's side will be desperate to cling onto a qualifying position but could have Europa League football to fall back on should they not make the cut for Europe's premier footballing competition.

As it stands, Chelsea still have multiple ways they can achieve this.

UEFA Conference League victory, a competition in which they are favourites, would secure Europa League football for next season as well as a sixth-place Premier League finish.

The visit of Everton on Saturday afternoon is the beginning of what looks like a tricky league run-in.

Home games against Liverpool and Manchester United as well as trips to Newcastle and Nottingham Forest mean that all of their final four fixtures are against current top six Premier League sides.

Add in the possibility that the Blues will be contesting three more games in Europe, Chelsea face a potentially gruelling end to their campaign.

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William Dobbie

• Chelsea F.C.
• Premier League
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