Enzo Maresca upbeat as Chelsea gear up for new campaign after perfect pre-season

LONDON – Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca expressed confidence ahead of his second season at the London club, as his team gear up for the new campaign following their Club World Cup triumph and a flawless pre-season.

The Blues clinched the Club World Cup in July with an emphatic 3-0 win over European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the final, and wrapped up their pre-season on Aug 10 with a 4-1 victory over AC Milan at Stamford Bridge.

Their new forwards, Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, were both on the score sheet against Milan, who were reduced to 10 men after defender Andrei Coubis was sent off in the 18th minute.

“I think the performance was very good until the red card. We started the way we wanted – intense and with a high tempo on and off the ball,” Maresca said. “The red card changed a little bit the game, but it’s also normal as Milan started pre-season 40 days ago and this was their fifth friendly.”

Chelsea had earlier defeated Bundesliga runners-up Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 in their opening pre-season friendly on Aug 8.

“It’s our second one (pre-season game). But overall I’m very happy, and now we start the Premier League,” the Italian added. “I’m confident in general and excited. We have another long season ahead and we are going to try to do our best.”

Brazilian Pedro continued his goalscoring exploits since joining Chelsea from fellow Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion in July, scoring his fifth goal in as many games for the Blues.

The 23-year-old was full of praise for his teammate Delap, who netted a brace against Milan.

“I don’t want to say competition. I think it is very good for Chelsea to have both strikers at a good level. In the last game, he did not score. Today, he scored two goals. I am very happy for him,” Pedro said.

Chelsea host newly crowned Community Shield winners Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener on Aug 17. REUTERS