Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca claims he cannot 'smell' a title race despite his side being second in the Premier League.
The Blues are unbeaten in seven league matches heading into Sunday's clash with Brentford at Stamford Bridge and are just four points behind leaders Liverpool, who play Fulham on Saturday.
Maresca's side have scored 12 goals in beating Aston Villa, Southampton and Tottenham in their last three league matches, making them Liverpool's main challengers, but the Italian remains in doubt about their title credentials.
He said, 'You can smell that [a title race]you feel that.
“That's probably why I said we're not ready yet, because we don't feel it or smell it right now. Hopefully we can get there soon.”
“I like to convince myself and the players that the only way to fight for something is to be focused day after day.
“When you start thinking 'in two days, three days, a month, two months,' that's the beginning of the bad times.”
Chelsea are the league's highest scorers, with 35 goals so far this season. They have scored at least three goals in the last three top games.
Only once before in the Blues' history have they scored three or more goals in four consecutive top-flight games, in November/December 1954 under Ted Drake on their way to winning the title that season.
We next welcome Brentford to Stamford Bridge. pic.twitter.com/3e5G6xLsDK
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 14, 2024
Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho, who scored Chelsea's first goal in the 4-3 win over Spurs last week, is aiming to score in three consecutive league matches for the first time since February 2021.
Sancho has shown glimpses of his quality since joining on loan from Manchester United this summer, but Maresca believes his game can go to a new level.
He said: “Jadon probably fell short in finishing because we had a lot of games where he was often coming 1-on-1 and he's always looking for help, help, help.
“That's a good thing, but sometimes you are also in a position where you can shoot and now he is doing better. On the left side, with the left pocket and the left winger, we have struggled a bit.” [to score].”
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