Maresca: Chealse Can Close Gap To Liverpool

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is confident that his team can get closer to Liverpool next season as he prepares to welcome the newly crowned Premier League champions to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Despite being 22 points behind Liverpool, Chelsea are focused on securing a top-five finish and Champions League qualification.

“I think the gap (to Liverpool) is there, you can see it clearly,” Maresca said. “My feeling is that we are in the right direction and hopefully this gap can be closed. The difference has been probably that they have been consistent compared to us.”

Maresca attributed Liverpool’s success to their experience and ability to win games, saying, “Also in terms of experience, players that know how to win games, I think they have something more compared to us.”

When asked if Chelsea would follow Liverpool’s example of signing experienced players, Maresca replied, “If you want to close the gap with this kind of club, for sure (you need experience).”

He added that his team would gain experience and improve over time, citing the growth of players like Levi Colwill. “Our team next season will be better in terms of experience, because this year has been one more year together.

“For sure the ones that are growing like Levi (Colwill) for instance, growing a lot in terms of leadership, next year will be better and better.”

Maresca confirmed that Chelsea would give Liverpool a guard of honour before kick-off on Sunday, saying, “I don’t think we need that to understand how good it is to win the Premier League. We know that it’s something very nice. But for sure when you are there, probably in their mind (the players) are thinking ‘I would like one day to be there’.”