"For me the problem is that in general, people, you the press, you still think that Chelsea is the same Chelsea as years ago. It's not the same," said Maresca.
Enzo Maresca celebrates at the end of the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in London on Friday. Chelsea wins 1-0 against Manchester United. Photo: HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca claimed unrealistic demands are placed on his side after a nervy 1-0 win over Manchester United pushed the Blues towards Champions League qualification on Friday.
Marc Cucurella headed in the only goal 20 minutes from time to lift Chelsea into the Premier League’s top four.
ALSO READ: De Bruyne seeks fitting Man City farewell in FA Cup final
Victory at Nottingham Forest on the final day of the campaign on May 25 will guarantee at least a top-five finish that will see Chelsea return to the Champions League after a two-year absence.
Maresca’s men can also end the season with a trophy should they defeat Real Betis in the Europa Conference League.
Chelsea have spent over £1 billion ($1.33 billion) on new signings in three years since an American consortium replaced Roman Abramovich as the club’s owners.
However, the majority of that investment has been splashed on promising young talent and Maresca believes his side should be afforded more patience.
“For me the problem is that in general, people, you the press, you still think that Chelsea is the same Chelsea as years ago. It’s not the same,” said Maresca.
“Tonight (Nicolas) Jackson was suspended, we played with Tyrique (George) and six players from the academy (in the squad).
“Years ago, if (Didier) Drogba was out, Diego Costa was playing or Fernando Torres. This is a completely different Chelsea.
“I can understand that people struggle to see that. But we are in the right direction, hopefully we can bring the club where the club deserves to be.”
Cucurella steers Chelsea towards Champions League in Man Utd win
Chelsea ensured that qualification for the Champions League remains in their own hands as Marc Cucurella’s winner beat Manchester United 1-0 to climb to fourth in the Premier League.
United are gearing up for next week’s Europa League final against Tottenham but ran the Blues close as Ruben Amorim named a stronger line-up than expected.
However, the Red Devils ultimately slipped to an 18th league defeat of the season and remain 16th in the table.
Chelsea and Aston Villa, who beat Spurs 2-0 in Friday’s other Premier League match, both leapfrog Manchester City into the top five.
City have a game in hand at home to Bournemouth on Tuesday as they face Crystal Palace in Saturday’s FA Cup final.
But Chelsea will be assured of a return to Europe’s top competition after a two-year absence should they beat Nottingham Forest on the final day of the season.
And they could also end the campaign with a trophy as they face Real Betis in the Europa Conference League final on May 28.
Download our app
