Maresca wants number nine and Champions League for star men

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says the likes of Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Levi Colwill have the "status" to play Champions League football.

The Italian is attempting to get Chelsea a place back at Europe's top table after two years of exile and qualify for the competition for the first time in the Todd Boehly-Clearlake era.

However, a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle on Sunday cast that in renewed doubt and the Blues will have to win both a match against Manchester United on Friday night and the final match away at direct competitors Nottingham Forest the following Sunday to guarantee qualification.

When asked whether players like Palmer should be playing Champions League football, Maresca said: "Absolutely yes, I don't think Cole is the only player who deserves, I think Moi also, Enzo Fernandez and Levi Colwill deserves Champions League.

"This is why we have been there and we'll try to be there. We have many players in terms of status deserve to play in the Champions League."

Maresca's counterpart for the upcoming match at Stamford Bridge is Ruben Amorim who said he believes United are not ready for the Champions League stage despite still having a chance to qualify by beating Tottenham in the Europa League final next week.

However, Maresca believes Chelsea are in a better position, adding: "We are ready to finish in the top five because we have been consistent enough, not to compete for the title but enough to qualify for the Champions League because we have been there all season."

Maresca will be without a striker on Friday night after Nicolas Jackson's red card at St James's Park ruled him out of the remaining two league matches of the season.

After playing down his anger towards the Senegal international, he added that Chelsea could do with signing another number nine to help him.

"He has improved a lot in my personal opinion. For sure, if another nine was here it is probably better for him."