Chelsea’s Maresca claims that defenders win titles just as much as goal scorers

Manager Enzo Maresca stated on Wednesday that Chelsea’s defense is essential to the team’s unexpected run for the Premier League championship, even if they gave up three goals in a single match against Tottenham Hotspur over the weekend.

On Sunday, Chelsea overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat Spurs 4-3 thanks to their offensive flair, but Maresca claimed the team’s winning league record also deserves recognition for its defense.

Before Thursday’s Europa Conference League game in Astana, Maresca reminded reporters, “You need to defend; you won’t win games or titles by just scoring goals.”

“Even after conceding three goals against Spurs, there are just two clubs that have conceded less than us so that means also defensively we are doing quite well.”

In 15 games, Chelsea, now ranked second in the Premier League standings with 31 points, has given up 18 goals, more than only leaders Liverpool (11) and third-place Arsenal (15).

In addition, Maresca’s team is winning four straight games and leading the Conference League standings. The Italian, however, did not want Chelsea to be the favorites.

“Aspiration is not the issue. Although I, the players, and the club have high goals, I believe that if you look at things in four or five months, you may lose some of your focus on the present,” he remarked.

Josh Acheampong, a highly regarded 18-year-old defender, is expected to get his team’s first start, according to Maresca, since the manager intends to leave certain players off of the eight-hour journey to Kazakhstan to play 23rd-place Astana.

“We have many young players with us and the rest are going to be here working,” added Maresca.

“It is not customary to travel for a game for eight hours. We must proceed there. We will try our best while keeping the next game in mind, but we have to play.”

On Sunday, Chelsea will play Brentford in the Premier League to continue their season.