Maresca sets top four target for Chelsea

AFP | London

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Enzo Maresca has given Chelsea a target of winning their last seven Premier League home games as the Blues boss sets his sights on Champions League qualification.

Maresca has spent much of the season playing down Chelsea’s hopes of returning to Europe’s elite club competition.

But the 45-year-old, whose sixth-placed team travel to Aston Villa on Saturday, has finally admitted Chelsea have a golden opportunity to secure a top-four finish.

That would guarantee Champions League action next season, while fifth place could also be enough depending on the results of the English clubs still in continental competitions this term.

Of the sides still to visit Stamford Bridge this season, six are currently in the bottom half of the Premier League, with leaders Liverpool the exception.

Chelsea have won six of their 12 home league games so far and Maresca knows they must fix that disappointing record to clinch a Champions League berth.

“We have 13 games to go and seven of them are at home. I think that winning the seven at home can be enough to finish top four,” Maresca told reporters yesterday.

“We’ve spent almost our (whole) season in the top four. Now we have just 13 games to go, so now the target for us is to finish top four, to try to finish in the best way.”