Enzo Maresca urges stuttering Chelsea to seize the moment in battle for Champions League spot

LONDON – Chelsea’s players must embrace the pressure they are under and make the most of the few matches they have left to turn around their season, manager Enzo Maresca said ahead of an English Premier League trip to Fulham on April 20.

The Blues, seeking to return to the Champions League after two dismal seasons, have fallen to sixth place in the league standings after disappointing draws with Brentford and relegation-threatened Ipswich Town.

They could be in seventh by the time they kick off against Fulham, should Aston Villa draw or beat Newcastle United on April 19 – that result was not available at press time.

Chelsea also suffered a shock 2-1 loss to Polish side Legia Warsaw in the second leg of their Europa Conference League last-eight tie in midweek, but advanced to the semi-finals with a 4-2 aggregate win.

Asked if it was a bad time for his team to be playing Fulham in a London derby, Maresca said: “No, in this moment, there is no bad time. In this moment, there is only a right time to play any game.

“We have six Premier League games, plus the two Conference League semi-final games. So at the moment, we have eight official games to play, and all of them, it’s a good time to play.

“It’s all important. We cannot decide in which moment. Now is the moment to go if we want to reach something.”

Chelsea have been lacking in firepower in recent weeks, with attackers Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson both enduring extended goal droughts.

Maresca said that the club will be able to finish in the top five only if the duo can rediscover their form, adding: “They have scored goals (in the past).

“It’s just a moment that they need to turn a little bit that moment. But I said before, Cole scored 14 goals in 20 Premier League games (this season). So he scored goals. Nico was the same before the injury.

“Now, unfortunately, Nico was out two months. So probably physicality needs a little bit more.”

The Italian confirmed that Chelsea will be able to call upon the services of midfielder Romeo Lavia against Fulham, but stressed that the Belgian would be eased back into action to avoid any more injuries.

Lavia has played only two Premier League games since early December and recently suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Off the pitch, Maresca said he maintains the full backing of the club’s owners despite growing disquiet among the Blues’ fan base.

“Absolutely yes, no doubt,” he said when asked whether he felt backed by the club’s hierarchy, who have sacked three managers in less than three years in charge at Chelsea.

“We have spent almost all season in a Champions League spot. We are in a European semi-final.

“So why now we need to change something? I don’t have any doubt about what we are doing and the way we are doing.” REUTERS, AFP