Enzo Maresca has emphasized Chelsea’s commitment to footballing tradition, confirming that the team will honor Liverpool with a well-deserved guard of honour on Sunday.
According to Maresca, Liverpool’s impressive achievement of being crowned champions of England comes down to their ability to sustain high performance over the long haul, something Chelsea aspires to match.
The Role of Experience in Team Growth
Maresca noted that Arne Slot, the manager of their rivals, benefited from having experienced leaders like Alisson and Virgil van Dijk in his squad, who have been key in driving Liverpool’s consistent title chase.
When asked if Chelsea needed similar experienced players to close the gap with top clubs, Maresca pointed to Levi Colwill as one of the players who is developing into a leader within the squad.
Maresca explained, “If we want to close the gap with clubs like Liverpool, we have to keep improving.
“Our team will be better next season, especially in terms of experience.
“This season has given us more time to grow together.”
Building a Stronger Team for the Future
The Blues’ boss went on to highlight players like Levi Colwill, who is maturing in his leadership role.
Maresca expressed optimism that with another year under their belts, Chelsea’s younger players will continue to develop, with Colwill being a prime example.
He added, “Levi is growing in terms of leadership, and next season he’ll only get better.”
Reflecting on Chelsea’s past experiences, Maresca pointed to moments like the 3-0 victory over Legia Warsaw, which served as a valuable learning opportunity.
He stated, “We’ve learned from moments like that.
“We can now say, ‘This has happened before, but it won’t happen again.’
“You need these experiences to grow as a team.”
Will Chelsea Target More Experience in Transfers?
A big question remains whether Chelsea will look to strengthen their squad with more seasoned players during the transfer window or if they will continue focusing on developing young talent internally.
Maresca’s comments indicate that there is confidence in the potential of their current squad, but there’s still an awareness of the need for more experience to bridge the gap with teams like Liverpool.
A Guard of Honour for Liverpool
Regarding the upcoming clash with Liverpool, Maresca firmly confirmed that Chelsea will respect the tradition of giving their rivals a guard of honour.
“They won the Premier League, and they deserve it,” he said.
Maresca acknowledged the clear gap between the two clubs but remained optimistic about Chelsea’s progress, noting that the team is heading in the right direction.
“The difference is consistency,” Maresca explained.
“Liverpool has shown it, whereas we’ve had ups and downs.
“That’s been a big part of the gap. Also, they have more players who know how to win games, which is something we’re still working on.”
Focus on the Conference League and Premier League Ambitions
Chelsea’s strong 4-1 victory over Djurgarden in the Conference League semi-final means they’re close to securing a spot in the final.
While the second leg is expected to be a formality, Maresca stressed that their priority is now securing a top-five finish in the Premier League.
He also dismissed any concerns that Liverpool might be fatigued from their recent title celebrations, stating, “I don’t think that will affect them.
“We have to focus on our own performance and continue pushing forward.”