Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has credited his team’s impressive Premier League title push to their defensive solidity, even as they conceded three goals in their thrilling 4-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Following a dramatic comeback that saw Chelsea fight back from a 2-0 deficit to secure all three points, Maresca insisted the key to their success lies in the backline.
“You’re not going to win games or titles by just scoring goals, you need to defend,” Maresca said in a press conference ahead of Chelsea’s Europa Conference League clash with Astana on Thursday.
While Chelsea’s attack certainly stole the spotlight in the high-scoring win over Spurs, with their potent forwards rescuing the team, Maresca pointed to their overall defensive record as crucial to their rise.
“Even after conceding three goals against Spurs, there are just two clubs that have conceded less than us, so that means also defensively we are doing quite well,” he explained.
Currently second in the Premier League standings with 31 points, Chelsea have conceded 18 goals in 15 matches.
Only league leaders Liverpool (11) and third-placed Arsenal (15) have allowed fewer. This strong defensive foundation has been key to their title challenge.
Maresca’s side has also impressed in the Europa Conference League, sitting top of their group with four consecutive victories. However, the manager cautioned against getting ahead of themselves.
“It’s not about ambition. I am quite ambitious, and the players and the club are ambitious, but in my opinion, if you think about things in four or five months then you can lose a bit of focus on the now,” he stated.
The Italian also revealed that 18-year-old defender Josh Acheampong could make his first start for Chelsea in Kazakhstan, as the club prepares for the long flight to face Astana, currently bottom of their group.
Maresca confirmed that some players will be left behind due to the eight-hour journey. “We have many young players with us and the rest are going to be here working,” he said.
“Eight hours is not a normal time [to travel] for a game. We have to go there. We have to play and we are going to try and do our best while also thinking about the next game.”
Chelsea will return to Premier League action on Sunday against Brentford, as they look to keep their title challenge alive.
