The full transcript of Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca for the Premier League opener of the Blues with Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca has just completed his first press conference of the new season, with the Chelsea head coach, for his part with Crystal Palace, viewed the collision on Sunday afternoon.
The world champions welcome the Eagles of Stamford Bridge in just over 48 hours while watching the new campaign with a bang. Maresca spoke this morning with a room full of journalists in the club of the club in Cobham and here is every word he had to say.
How done do you feel and the team are?
We think we are ready, but we have to wait until the real competition verifies that. Like you said, it was a pretty short break. We are going to try to be ready.
Unique situation – is this a learning curve for you as a manager?
Yes, it's certainly something new. It is something that we unfortunately do not know the answer because it has never happened before. For me, for sports scientists, for the doctor, it is something new. We do not know the answer and we will respond to this new situation. That is why we must pay attention to all the details.
How is Levi Colwill?
He's okay. I am aware that he must be gone for a long time. It is a big loss for us. You know how important Levi was for us last season, for the way we want to play. We have often said that we can create opportunities and attack it in the right way if we can build in the right way. Levi was a large part of our structure and now he is out and we are going to try to find another solution.
Is it a different solution internally or externally?
We try to find a solution internally, but the club knows exactly what I think.
What do you think?
I think we need a central defender. We are looking for an internal solution, but as I said, the club knows exactly what I think.
If there is no other company between now and the end of the window, would you be happy with the team you have to attack A season that includes Champions League football this year?
We have a fantastic team. We are undoubtedly happy with the team we are. But we have often said that when the window is open, everything can happen.
What are your expectations of this Chelsea side this year? Because it feels like there is a completely different aura around the club, not only internally but externally. Many fans tip Chelsea to compete this season to the Premier League title …
For me this shows how good the team was last season. Because, as you said, when I came to the club a year ago, the club was completely different for many reasons for many reasons for many reasons. Personally, I always say that in two months, in three months, I don't like to look within four months, because that does not exist in football.
I like to look tomorrow, I like to be focused on tomorrow's game, which will be against Palace in two days. In terms of goal, my personal target, the goal of the team is to improve every day and then we will see what is happening.
What do you think of Arne Slot that he expected Chelsea to compete for the title last season?
This is what ends ended about us last season?
Yes, about Chelsea last season.
I don't know to be honest. I already said, I am not paying attention to what the other people say about us. Also because it is easy to say that there are more clubs involved. I don't like to play this kind of game. I like to focus on players, try to improve and then they can say, they can say what they want.
How much stronger do you think your team will start this season compared to this time last season?
We are certainly a better team compared to a year ago. The reason why is because we work together every day for one season. I think what the club, which the team achieved the first season, has been fantastic. Final of Champions League, Conference League, that was the competition in which we were. The club worked hard. More than this it was quite difficult to achieve a little more. Now it's a new season and we'll see.
Crystal Palace on Sunday on Stamford Bridge. How big will it be?
It will be very, very difficult. It has been the community shield, it was the FA Cup against City. They defeated two finals, probably the two best teams in the past 10 to 15 years in England, Man City and Liverpool. It will show how competitive we will be on Sunday.
Thinking about your games against them last season, maybe two games that Chelsea could have won, should they have won?
I think we probably deserved a little more in both games, but sometimes you don't earn it and you get points, so it's football, it's normal. But certainly, as I said, the two finals they won show how good they are.
You said that Wesley Fofana could be back in the competition day shelter during the weekend. Is that still the case?
It could be available. We will see.
What are Benoit Badiashile, Romeo Lavia and Trevoh Chalobah?
Benoit is busy coming back. Romeo Lavia is exactly the same and Trev is okay.
Can other center backs on the left side of the defense be able to step into the absence of Colwill?
It is not on the left. When we build, we build in the middle with Levi. It is different from the player in the middle on the left. Last year we played 64 games and played 64 games with Levi and Tosin. Now Levi is out. The only one he can do well is Tosin. But we have Premier League, Champions League, these kinds of players.
They can adjust the rest. Hato is a new one, he never played as the man in the middle last season. So it's not about being a central defender. Yes, [he is a] Central defender. Can he do that? It's different, it's not just about.
And we also have players who unfortunately, such as Wes or Benoit, currently have some problems. And this is why I said the club knows exactly what I think of central defenders.