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Chelsea's manager Enzo Maresca, along with key club officials, responded after the Blues secured a 1-0 victory against Manchester United.
This win not only strengthened their hopes of finishing in the top four but also intensified the competition for the Premier League title.
Despite the success, Maresca urged the media and fans to exercise patience and maintain perspective, emphasizing that the team is undergoing a transitional period.
“The issue is that the media perceives Chelsea as the same team from previous years. We are not,” Maresca stated.
“We are focused on building something significant. People need to have faith in us — we are headed in the right direction.”
Club captain Reece James, who was crucial in the team’s defensive performance and provided the assist for the winning goal, shared the ambition fueling Chelsea’s pursuit of success as the season comes to a close.
“Chelsea belongs in the Champions League, competing among the elite,” James asserted. Chelsea currently occupies fourth place in the standings with 66 points from 37 games, tied with Aston Villa and Newcastle United but ahead on goal difference.
As the competition for Champions League qualification heats up, Chelsea’s latest victory and their internal conviction could be pivotal as the season enters its final phase.
Meanwhile, after the defeat, Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim commended forward Rasmus Højlund for his efforts but acknowledged that there is room for development in his performance.
“I’m pleased with Højlund. The entire team must improve. However, he fights for every ball and runs hard,” said the Portuguese manager. While opinions on Højlund’s overall effectiveness in the match varied, Amorim recognized the young striker’s increasing impact.
“He loses many duels but wins some. He needs to enhance his connections, but he is making progress. He just has to keep working diligently,” he remarked.
The manager also indicated that individual performances in the match against Manchester United provided him with insights for selecting the lineup for their upcoming major event — the Europa League Final.
“This performance has greatly assisted me in determining the starting 11 for the final,” Amorim disclosed, implying that recent performances will influence decisions for important matches.
