Enzo Maresca provides response when asked if Chelsea are in the Premier League title race this season

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has insisted that the Blues are not in the race for the Premier League title this season. The west London giants have shown significant signs of improvement under the Italian but the manager believes that his side are still not there.

Ahead of the 13th gameweek, Chelsea sit third in the table with 22 points ahead of fourth-placed Arsenal on goal difference. They trail league leaders Liverpool by nine points and second-placed Manchester City by just one point.

The Blues will take on eighth-placed Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, December 1. Ahead of the game, Maresca was asked regarding his side's title chances but the Italian stated that they are not in the title race.

He said, as quoted by Sky Sports News on X (formerly Twitter):

"We are not there, Man City, Arsenal and Liverpool are ahead of us."

Maresca has done a pretty fantastic job at Chelsea having taken over the club in the summer from Mauricio Pochettino. The Blues finished 12th and sixth respectively in the last two seasons and struggled for any kind of consistency.

With six wins, four draws and two losses in the Premier League this season, the club seems to be on their way back to the top. A top-four finish ideally should have been their target at the start of the season and they look on course to achieve that.

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Peter Crouch hails Chelsea star following 2-0 win over Heidenhem

Former Premier League striker turned pundit Peter Crouch has waxed lyrical about Jadon Sancho following Chelsea's 2-0 win over Heidenhem in the UEFA Europa Conference League. The Manchester United loanee provided two assists for the Blues to help his side secure all three points and stay at the top of the table.

Sancho joined the Blues in the summer on a loan deal from Manchester United with the Blues having the obligation to sign him permanently for £25 million. The Englishman had plenty to prove following his underwhelming spell at Old Trafford and has shown signs of his former self.

Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch hailed the former Borussia Dortmund winger following the game as he stated, as quoted by TNT Sports:

"He was involved in a lot. He’s got such quick feet, creativity. When he’s confident, he’s as good as anyone and seems to always pick the right pass. He’s getting up to speed, but when he’s fit and playing well, this is what he can do."

Sancho has only started five games for Enzo Maresca's side this campaign while coming on from the bench on three occasions. He has done pretty well having already provided five assists.