'We are in the right path'published at 16:24 16 March
16:24 16 March
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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We are in the right path. There was't a big difference between them an us in terms of creating chances. We could create something more for sure. In the end we lost from set-pieces."
On Reece James playing in midfield: "Reece is doing well, so are Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. We have Noni [Madueke], Nico [Jackson] and [Cole] Palmer out and they have scored most of our goals."
On Cole Palmer: "The feeling is that he can be back after the international break."
On whether Palmer will be absent for England duty: "For sure, because he is injured and he didn't play today."
Sutton's predictions: Arsenal v Chelseapublished at 12:33 16 March
12:33 16 March
There won't be many goals in this game - one goal might be enough to win it, and I am going with Arsenal to get it.
Declan Rice was very lively in his new attacking role against Manchester United and I can see him scoring again here.
Chelsea have flattered to deceive in recent weeks. They have won their past two league games, but they were against Southampton and Leicester. This is a much bigger test.
'Serious' Maresca still has 'platform to succeed' at Chelseapublished at 13:49 15 March
13:49 15 March
Nizaar Kinsella BBC Sport football news reporter
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Image caption,
Chelsea are fourth under Maresca and on course to achieve their pre-season goals
This time last year, parts of the Chelsea's ownership were losing faith in Mauricio Pochettino but they have no such feeling with new manager Enzo Maresca.
Despite criticism and low-level discontent about the Italian's style of play from sections of the support, even after a run of four back-to-back wins, there remains an atypical sense of stability at Stamford Bridge.
For so long, under Roman Abramovich and at the beginning of the Boehly-Clearlake era, this club has felt impatient with managers and, therefore, chaotic.
But Maresca, 46, continues to deliver what those who hired him wanted. Defender Levi Colwill described Maresca as "serious" this week, which is something people privately say reflects his character.
At times, Maresca has come out swinging for the, at times, under-fire ownership, such is his belief in the project.
He has defended the size of the squad, the January transfer activity and remained calm when suffering a poor run of just two wins in 10 matches recently.
Much of that run is put down to bad luck internally. Players like Joao Felix left on loan as others like Nicolas Jackson and Marc Guiu got injured in a busy period of fixtures.
That led to workload issues that are being felt across the league but Chelsea have deliberately tried to carry a slightly bigger squad than other teams as they tried to battle on five fronts - with participation in the Club World Cup to come in the summer.
Chelsea's senior staff see Maresca's early season form as more instructive of the future and a blueprint for the future.
And Maresca is also benefiting from Chelsea beginning to settle. The post-ownership revolution is calming down and the base to succeed is believed to be in place now with the next piece of work being to turn the club into winners again.
That's why Champions League qualification is seen as such a big target and, unfortunately, Maresca's one mis-step was tripping up over his language when discussing the importance of finishing in the top four or five.
It seemed like he was playing it down but he has since corrected it - as Chelsea chase the prestige, revenue and sponsorship deals that come with qualification.
Missing out would not be fatal for his Maresca but would be viewed unfavourably.
It's interesting that earlier in the season Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola urged Chelsea to be patient in his former assistant, who he compared to his other protegee in Arsenal's Mikel Arteta.
As Chelsea travel to face Arsenal, it feels like faith remains in Maresca and he has a platform to succeed.
Maresca on 'big gap' between Chelsea and Arsenal, Palmer and titlespublished at 13:24 14 March
13:24 14 March
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has spoken to the media before Sunday's Premier League game at Arsenal (kick-off 13:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Maresca said the gap between Chelsea and Arsenal is "quite big", adding: "The reason why is because they are working with the same manager for five years so the difference is quite important. They also have the same players that have already played some important games. But our duty is to close that gap between us and them. In this moment, the table says the difference is just six points so we are quite close. We have nine games still to go."
Maresca expects Arsenal to play the game with a high press and to be "aggressive", which will allow the Blues "more space to attack in behind".
Chelsea are "used to playing in finals and fighting for titles", and Maresca said achieving the two targets of qualifying for the Champions League and winning the Conference League "are important for us".
On whether he will make a goalkeeper change: "Yes, it will be Robert playing against Arsenal. Since we started, the idea was not to change the keeper, but we have had to be flexible with our gameplan since arriving. I think Robert needs some days off, or at least a rest mentally. Now he is back, we hope not to change until the end - but I also am happy with both keepers."
On Cole Palmer: "Cole at the moment struggles to score goals. Of the three guys who score goals for us, two are not available [Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke] and one is available, a bit unlucky and missing goals - but there are other players that are doing well."
The Italian said it is "strange" both London clubs find themselves without a recognised striker because of injuries, adding: "They are trying to find solutions and we are trying to find solutions. Pedro [Neto] is doing very well in that position. We will see if we use Pedro or try something else on Sunday. All the clubs have moments when they have injuries so they need to adapt."
Marc Cucurella has scored in his past two Premier League appearances, as many as in his first 69 for Chelsea.
All four of his goals for the Blues have come this season, with Reece James the last defender to score more in a campaign for the club (five in 2021-22).
Who must Chelsea play to reach the Conference League final?published at 11:10 14 March
11:10 14 March
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Chelsea are the only English team in the Conference League and are the favourites to win it.
For the first leg of their quarter-final, they will head to the Polish capital to face Legia Warsaw, who are currently fourth in their domestic league.
If they beat Legia, then either Djurgarden or SK Rapid will await them in the semi-finals.
On the other side of the draw, Italian giants Fiorentina, La Liga side Real Betis, Slovenian champions Celje and Jagiellonia.
Chelsea 1-0 Copenhagen - the fans' verdictpublished at 09:16 14 March
09:16 14 March
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We asked for your thoughts after Chelsea progressed to the quarter-finals of the Conference League with victory over FC Copenhagen.
Here are some of your comments:
Andy: First half to forget but we were ahead in the tie so not too bothered. Second half was better. Good showing from Tyrique George. Marc Cucurella has won me over in the past 12 months - money well spent - and Moises Caicedo was excellent as always. Cole Palmer will find form soon (hopefully). Overall solid progression to quarters and closer to history. First team to win it all etc.
Phil: A game of two halves. Lethargic and poor in the first half. Changes at half-time and an injection of urgency allowed the game to be won. We have to be more consistent over the 90 minutes of all games and it cannot always be about possession.
Mathew: Really happy with the win and to see Dewsbury-Hall scoring. I still believe he is a great player and there are moments from him where he shows that he is a good player when he plays for us. Great to see Tyrique George starting, he was really good, running at his man and taking him on and turning inside and getting a shot on goal. It was also good to see Genisis Antwi coming on for his Chelsea debut. It's great to see academy players getting their chance in the Conference League.
Peter: Dreadful performance. I actually left at half-time because it was so boring. Maresca wants the fans to back the team but perhaps he should look at his style of play for the reason the fans aren't behind him!
Jeremy: Maresca has been found out as a one-trick pony. Out-classed by a poor Copenhagen side over two legs and scraped through. We genuinely won't be successful under him, mark my words.
Tony: So the manager studied the way Copenhagen were playing in the first half and then came up with suitable tactics to win the game (I don't know, maybe take the odd pot shot towards the opposition goal?) Brilliant, do it against Arsenal and we will be going in at half-time five down.
Empty seats sum up another drab Stamford Bridge displaypublished at 08:46 14 March
08:46 14 March
Nat Hayward BBC Sport journalist
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Developing a winning habit at this stage of the season is invaluable and - however unconvincingly - Chelsea have now won four in a row, and five on the spin at Stamford Bridge.
However, Thursday's 1-0 win over Copenhagen to edge into the Conference League quarter-finals 3-1 on aggregate was another example of Enzo Maresca's side emerging victorious from a performance that could be described as the bare minimum.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's second half goal - a moment of release for both player and manager - was the highlight in a largely drab affair that could easily have become nervy had the visitors capitalised on their first-half dominance.
Supporters vote with their feet as well as voices and both were noticeable on Thursday evening. Boos greeted the Blues at half-time after a tepid first 45 minutes and television coverage showed thousands of empty seats with neither the context of the match or recent performances setting pulses racing.
Conversations around the club's future at Stamford Bridge are often centred on its relatively meagre capacity of around 41,000 but having visible empty seats, notably in the hospitality areas, is not a good look for an ownership group that have overseen ticket price rises and are keen to expand.
Those who were in attendance were not treated to a performance likely to help the Blues' atmosphere problem despite a coordinated 'singing section' in the upper tier of the Shed End - perhaps hindered by the proximity to the travelling Copenhagen fans who sung loudly throughout.
A trip to Arsenal on Sunday provides an opportunity to turn a string of nervy wins into genuine momentum and goodwill as Chelsea approach a difficult but vital run of fixtures.
However, you would be hard-pressed to find a Blues fan not looking at this particular derby with a degree of trepidation.
Gossip: Fernandez on Real shopping listpublished at 07:41 14 March
07:41 14 March
Real Madrid are targeting a summer move for Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez, with the 24-year-old said to be open to joining the Spanish giants. (Teamtalk), external
Chelsea could allow Fernandez to join Madrid as part of a swap deal for 25-year-old France midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni. (Four Four Two), external
'We need to do our best to achieve our target this season'published at 22:36 13 March
22:36 13 March
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Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca, speaking to TNT Sports: "It's important to reach the quarter-finals. Now the target is the next step which is the semi-finals. We deserved it over two legs. We changed and adjusted in the second half and we were much better. You need patience."
On success and the fans' expectations to win: "Exactly. This club always won trophies in the past and we need to do our best to achieve our target this season. We have to give to the fans and the club a title."
'Would be stupid of us to say we can't win Conference League' published at 22:21 13 March
22:21 13 March
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Chelsea midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, speaking to TNT Sports: "Nice to get a lead in the first leg coming to Stamford Bridge and we are safely into the quarters.
On his goal: "I saw a gap and managed to jinx through. I thought I would pick my spot and luckily it came off, I practise [that type of finish] it after training and was happy to produce it in a match.
"In the second half, we got a few more chances and we got a goal."
On Chelsea's chances of winning the competition: "Yeah, Chelsea has won the Champions League, the Europa League, it would be stupid of us to say we can't win this.
"It's not arrogant from us but we just know the quality that we have in the squad. Copenhagen are a good team but we are happy to be through."
Is 'Chelsea's engine' Caicedo justifying his price tag?published at 09:36 13 March
09:36 13 March
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When players are signed for the sort of figure that Moises Caicedo was, people immediately turn their nose up a little bit. They say it is too much, especially for that position, and say it is a waste of money.
In reality, what matters is how that player impacts the club they are joining, how valuable they are to them and how they fit in.
For Caicedo, he has become one of Chelsea's most important players. You can see how well they can play when he is performing to his best.
The way he can link the play and stifle danger as well has been hugely impressive. He feels and looks very settled in their setup.
You can see Enzo Maresca trusts him completely and rightly so because he is Chelsea's engine and when he is performing well you see the best version of them.
I've been hugely impressed by him. The position he plays does not get a huge amount of accolades because you don't score that many goals but there is a real appreciation from those who watch him every week.
He would not necessarily register when people are casually talking about the most important players to their clubs in the Premier League but he will always be mentioned by Chelsea fans and that says a lot.
The price tag is high but the with value Chelsea are getting right now, they would say it is very much justified.
Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward
'Top five by default' - fans on Champions League chancespublished at 08:26 13 March
08:26 13 March
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We asked you to tell us in one sentence why Chelsea will qualify for the Champions League.
Here are some of your replies
Fahey: Our remaining 10 fixtures should result in 19-21 points, making 68-70 points overall. I think 65 will be enough to get fifth place.
Matthew: Chelsea will qualify for the Champions League not on merit but because everyone else's form is also sketchy. Over the last six games we have somehow had better form than all around us other than Brighton and others' inability to get results over the line will get us top five by default.
Mohammed: Given the fixtures, Chelsea should get another 16 or 17 points from the 10 remaining matches.
John: We'll qualify for Champions League because key players — including Nico Jackson — will come back from injury, Cole Palmer will find his form, and Enzo Maresca will loosen his system a bit and let these guys play the way they want to play.
Naturally, some of you did not agree with the premise, so here's a flavour of the other side...
Patrick: They won't! We have blown it in my opinion.
Colin: They won't qualify for the Champions League!
Richard: We are still well placed to finish in the top five but much of this is due to inconsistent results from teams around us like Manchester City, Newcastle and Aston Villa, but if they (or Brighton) all improve, Chelsea might miss out completely. That's not acceptable.
Chris: As much as we all want it, I don't think that we will get CL qualification this season because we are not good enough - far too flaky, not decisive enough going forward and very leaky at the back.
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