Enzo Maresca: Chelsea determined to fight for Champions League qualification

Maresca's side are currently fourth in the table after 29 matches, holding a narrow one-point lead over fifth-placed Manchester City.

Meanwhile, they trail third-placed Nottingham Forest by five points, making every remaining fixture crucial in the battle for European football.

Chelsea have had an extended 18-day break since their last match, a defeat against Arsenal, with their next fixture coming against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

The international break saw several players leave for national team duty, while others were given time to recover before resuming training at Cobham.

Maresca welcomed the pause in domestic action, describing the break as "very good" for the squad. It allowed Chelsea to focus on specific training sessions with those who remained, ensuring they are well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

"I feel good. I know when you are Chelsea head coach you have to win games, no matter if [the team is] young or old. You have to win games," said Maresca, as quoted by the club's official website.

"Since I joined this club, I have been convinced this squad is good enough to compete and win games and I don't have any doubts that game after game, month after month, and season after season, we will be better and better and better, and we can close that gap that is between us and one or two more Premier League clubs."

He added: "We are there [in the top four] - and we have been there all season - so it's our duty to try to finish there. And as I've said, this club belongs in the Champions League so we have to do everything in our hands possible to bring the club there." 

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