Enzo Maresca reveals Virgil van Dijk demand to Chelsea board as Blues look to sign senior players to help young stars grow

Chelsea have the youngest squad in the Premier League and Maresca believes that has been a key factor behind their inconsistency this season, having won just seven of their last 18 matches in the top-flight.

Maresca said: "The difference is [Liverpool] have been consistent compared to us. For part of the season we were very good, and then we lost some games. This has probably been the main reason why. And also in terms of experienced players that know how to win games and these kinds of things, I think they have something more compared to us. For sure, if you want to close the gap with these kind of clubs then, for sure, you have to [sign those players]."

Van Dijk has won two Premier League titles, the Champions League and multiple domestic trophies since signing for the club in January 2018, proving a key presence at the heart of their defence. Chelsea are without silverware since the 2021 Champions League and have deliberately built a squad full of youth but lacking in trophy-winning experience.

Chelsea play Liverpool on Sunday and will give their visitors a guard of honour after they wrapped up the title last weekend.