Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has dismissed suggestions that his side can challenge for the Premier League title in 2024-25.
The Blues kicked the new campaign with a 2-0 home defeat to champions Manchester City but have since responded by accumulating 13 points from five games.
Also they top goalscorers in the Premier League with 15 strikes to their name, their recent run leaving them fourth in the standings.
Maresca and his team are now attempting to head into the October international break with a fourth successive top-flight win when Nottingham Forest are the visitors to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking ahead of the weekend clash, Maresca played down the possibility of being able to last the pace with the likes of Man City and Arsenal.
“I really don’t think we can compete with City and Arsenal. I really think that, because we are not ready,” Maresca said as quoted by football.london.
“The reason why is that City are working with the same manager for nine years, Arsenal for five years. It’s something that if you want to compete for important things, you need that time.
“After Arsenal v Paris St Germain (on Tuesday), they asked the same to Luis Enrique. He said the difference is that Arsenal have had the same manager for five years, (PSG) are one year and a half.
“We are three months. It’s a huge difference. I’m really convinced that we cannot compete with that club. The target is to improve and slowly, slowly go close to them. But we are not in this moment ready for that.”
