Chelsea boss Enzo Marseca believes his Blues should be in Europe's top club competition next season as he prepares for Friday's Premier League clash with Manchester United
Enzo Maresca has claimed Cole Palmer and his Chelsea stars “deserve” to play in the Champions League next season as he challenged them to “take responsibility" and seal a top-five finish.
Last weekend’s defeat at Newcastle sees the Blues remain fifth only on goal difference from Aston Villa and a point ahead of Nottingham Forest. And the UEFA Conference League finalists will be without a recognised striker for their last two Premier League games - starting with Manchester United on Friday night - after Nicolas Jackson’s red card at St James’ Park.
The Italian manager wants Palmer to be an “important player” in Chelsea ’s final home game of an inconsistent season against the Europa League finalists. But after sitting in the top five all season, Maresca said: “I don’t think Cole is the only one in terms of players who deserves (the Champions League).
"I think Moises also is a player that deserves the Champions League. Enzo Fernandez deserves the Champions League.
"Levi Colwell the deserves Champions League and this is the reason why we have been there and we are going to try to finish there because we have many players that in terms of status, they deserve to play in the Champions League.
“Do the players have it in them to step up? Yeah, I have this feeling. I think that tactics are important. But it’s also important that players take responsibility and also to show desire to bring this club to where this club has to be.”
Maresca said he “100 per cent” wants a new striker next season. And without the focal point of Jackson - Pedro Neto is set to return to the role of false nine - there is more pressure on Palmer to perform. The England star scored a hat-trick against his boyhood team last season but he only ended an 18-match goal drought in their last home fixture.
“Against Liverpool for sure he scored in the last minute, a penalty, but his performance has been top in all the aspects in terms of sacrifice, desire, help team-mates,” Maresca added. “So we are happy with that kind of performance from Cole. Now if he's able to score and assist, we are even more happy.”
The Italian also promised to review Chelsea’s poor disciplinary record at the end of the season as they top the Premier League yellow card table with 96.
“It's probably also the way we try to be, intense, aggressive. I don't know to be honest. It's a good question that probably we need to analyse during the summer when we have some day off and to see if there is something that we can do better.”
Jackson was the first Chelsea player to be dismissed during a match this season as Marc Cucurella was sent off after the final whistle against Brentford.
Jecacimpru
0
you should be sack immediately
only sack you guys know
tepcilns
2
you should be sack immediately
BigDoctor
0
This can happen if Chelsea improves their scoring ability
Hikcdeiot
0
Chelsea 1 Man u 4
Hikcdeiot
0
Let them gooooooooooooo
Hiuaeklmor
1
Ronald
Blinksclinton1997
0
you think man utd will come to stamford bridge to count bridge.?
You think man United would escape loosing today 🤣😂😂🤣🤣🤣😂😂 today would be a disgrace for United 😂🤣🤣🤣😂🤣
Rambcmpr
1
you think man United will come to Stafford Bridge today count bridge
cuckmnstyz
1
you think man utd will come to stamford bridge to count bridge.?
isn't it what they've been doing all season hence 16th in the league 😭😭😭😭😭
luoblmotyz
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fxxxxk buy a new striker what are waiting Nico will never make team to prosper
zodbdkor
1
u are talking coacher
nonye4real
1
you think man utd will come to stamford bridge to count bridge.?
kiwcdimosu
1
You are menst are Barcelona can wit went can help pharst white people with the are man singling the best of all time or and me one You are these Barcelona chapinls are you for ever having game me teals
Yotabdilor
0
Maresca as Chelsea coach, they will continuously be named as participants not contenders. Chelsea must part ways with him, asap.
rubbish
Becdknosyz
1
When you were begged to sign a striker, you refused.Check every team around you, there's always good options, and why is it that before you go for a player, the news will be every where. Can't you people be sure before being linked to every player in the world. finally. Stop signing players from Leipzig and Monaco. our scouts are very Lazy and I think I have to consider whether Chelsea is still the best team for my heart, because I don't want to have heart problem. Osimeh ,two years now no way
TravisJeremyDuncan
1
I warn palmer is play well and miss the chance
sitkmortz
3
Maresca as Chelsea coach, they will continuously be named as participants not contenders. Chelsea must part ways with him, asap.