Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca reveals the targets he's been set by Todd Boehly & Co. as he insists Champions League qualification isn't a requirement

Maresca swapped Leicester City for Chelsea earlier this summer and while he may be excited about leading the Blues this season, their pre-season campaign has been dire. And although they have signed 10 players, and spent £185 million ($239.5m), Maresca said he is not under pressure to secure Chelsea a top-four finish in 2024-25.

He told reporters: “What I can say is that nobody from the club asked me for the Champions League this year. Nobody said that we need to finish in the first four. What they said is that we need to step-by-step arrive and compete. If you ask me, my dream is to compete with the teams that at this moment are dominating English football. A very good target already [is] when the owner, sporting directors, the managers and players all have the same idea we are going in the same direction.”

Chelsea finished sixth last season and appeared to be heading in the right direction under Mauricio Pochettino, only for the Argentine to part ways with the Stamford Bridge outfit. Although Maresca stressed he is not under great pressure, few would be surprised if that changes quickly with this trigger-happy ownership - who have had Thomas Tuchel, Frank Lampard, Pochettino and now Maresca as coaches in two short years.

Maresca's side begin the new Premier League season at home to defending champions Manchester City on Sunday, before starting their Conference League campaign on Tuesday in the first of a two-legged tie against Servette.