Enzo Maresca insists he feels no added pressure as Chelsea enter a pivotal stretch that could shape the club’s season and possibly their immediate future.
The Blues travel to Nottingham Forest on Sunday with their Champions League hopes hanging in the balance, before jetting off to Poland for Wednesday’s UEFA Conference League final against Real Betis.
Maresca, whose side sit fifth, just a point above Forest, knows the stakes are high. But he says the pressure has been there from day one.
“I felt pressure since I joined the club, because this is a club where you need to win games,” the Italian said on Friday. “If we win, we do our job. We don’t need to rely on others.”
Chelsea still have a slim chance of finishing in the top three, with Manchester City only two points ahead. But defeat on Sunday could see them fall out of the top five altogether.
In a major boost, Maresca confirmed that Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu are available after long spells on the sidelines.
He also dismissed speculation over Enzo Fernandez’s future, confirming the Argentine will remain at the club next season: “He is one of our captains… this season has been very good and he can be even better next season.”
Maresca admitted he will need to rotate his squad ahead of Wednesday’s final, pointing to the demanding fixture schedule and lack of recovery time.
He voiced concern over the toll on players, especially with the Club World Cup looming in July.
“If some players are going to be tired, they’re not going to play,” he warned. “I don’t think there’s enough attention on player welfare. The number of games they play isn’t normal.”
