Enzo Maresca has claimed that his Chelsea team is 'not good enough' to play a transition style of football.
The blues are in their first campaign under the former Leicester -Baas, who is currently having a Champions League spot in the top flight and a Europa Conference League trophy.
They are fifth in the table that will go into Sunday's matches and have to hold on to that place to guarantee a place in the next term in Europe.
But it was a season that promised much more, in which the blues initially kept pace with Liverpool and Arsenal at the top of the table before they fell away.
This season was more difficult for the team in terms of form, where they are now clinging to fifth place in the midst of competition from people such as Newcastle and Aston Villa and criticism of the way in which Maresca approaches competitions.
And now, in an interview with Sky Sports, he has explained his reasoning for that playing style – and it is not good to read for his players.
“If you attack quickly, the opposition can also attack quickly,” he said. “It will be a transition game.
'We are not good enough for transition games. If you see our worst moments in the season or games where we are struggling, they are all games where it became a transition, and it's not good. '
Earlier this year, a video appeared from sections of Chelsea fans who cheer the team when they played from behind and drong on the side to get the ball in possession of the ball faster.
Maresca, who was successful with Leicester who played in the same way and won the championship last season, had also said earlier that he would drop his goalkeeper if he ever took a long goal kick.
The Italian also confirmed that his side Liverpool would give an honorary guard for their collision on Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
“Certainly, if you want to close the gap with these types of clubs, you should definitely do things,” said Maresca, speaking after the semi -final on Thursday in the semi -final of the first leg on Djurgarden in Stockholm, Sweden. 'Our team next season will also be better in terms of experience, because this season has been together for another year.
'For example, there are those who grow, such as Levi, for example. He grows a lot in terms of leadership. Certainly, after that he will certainly be better and better. '